Equidistances

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The concept of maintaining equal distances between two or more points in a defined space
2. A term describing positions or measurements that are consistent in their separation from one another
3. The quality of being equally distanced from particular locations or objects within a geometric or spatial context

Etymology: "Equidistances" is simply the plural of "equidistance," so it is the plural form of a noun that combines two familiar parts. The first is "equi-," from Latin "aequus," meaning "equal" or "even," which reached English through the same Latin root that gave us "equal" and "equity." The second is "distance," which came into English from Old French and ultimately from Latin "distantia," meaning a separation or interval between things. Put together, "equidistance" means equal distance, and the plural form, "equidistances," refers to multiple such equal separations, as in a row of posts set at regular intervals. The construction is transparent, which is typical of technical English formed from Latin building blocks, with the "equi-" prefix being the same one that appears in words like "equilateral" and "equinox."