English Online Dictionary. What means identical? What does identical mean?
English
Etymology
From identic + -al.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ɪˈdɛntɪkl̩/, /aɪˈdɛntɪkl̩/
- Hyphenation: i‧den‧ti‧cal
Adjective
identical (comparative more identical, superlative most identical)
- (not comparable) Bearing full likeness by having precisely the same set of characteristics; indistinguishable.
- (not comparable) Not different or other; not another or others; not different as regards self; selfsame; numerically identical.
- (not comparable, biology) Of twins, sharing the same genetic code.
- (not comparable, mathematics) Exactly equivalent.
- (comparable, rare) Approximating or approaching exact equivalence.
Usage notes
- In mathematics, this adjective can be used in phrases like "A and B are identical", "A is identical to B", and, less commonly, "A is identical with B".
Synonyms
- (bearing full likeness): same
- (selfsame): same, selfsame
- (sharing same genetic code): monozygotic, monovular
Antonyms
- contrasting
- different
- distinct
- non-identical
Coordinate terms
- (of twins): dizygotic
Derived terms
Related terms
Collocations
Translations
Noun
identical (plural identicals)
- (usually pluralized, chiefly philosophy) Something which has exactly the same properties as something else.
- An identical twin.
- (poetry) A rhyme on the same syllable, such as "leave" and "believe".
Derived terms
- indiscernibility of identicals
References
- “identical”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
- “identical”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
- “identical”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.
Anagrams
- ctenidial, diclinate, dinetical