coeval

[ koh-ee-vuhl ]

adjective

1. of the same age, date, or duration; equally old:

   Analysis has proved that this manuscript is coeval with that one.

2. coincident:

   Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo were only approximately coeval.

noun

1. a contemporary:

   He is more serious than his coevals.

coeval

/ ˌkəʊɪˈvælɪtɪ; kəʊˈiːvəl /

adjective

1. of or belonging to the same age or generation

noun

1. a contemporary

Derived Forms

• coˈevally, adverb
• coevality, noun

Other Words From

• co·e·val·i·ty [koh-i-, val, -i-tee], noun
• co·eval·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of coeval¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Late Latin coaev(us) (equivalent to co- “with, together” + -aevus, adjective derivative of aevum “age”) + -al adjective suffix; co-, -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of coeval¹

C17: from Late Latin coaevus from Latin co- + aevum age

Synonym Study

See contemporary.

Example Sentences

It was coeval with the religion of Egypt in the time of Abraham, and perhaps at a still earlier date.

From Project Gutenberg

The life of the American Cavalry is almost coeval with that of the American people.

From Project Gutenberg

Next to this tradition, and nearly coeval with it, but reported by later authority, is that respecting Solon and Athens.

From Project Gutenberg

Science and religion are coeval in man's history, and both are independently continuous and progressive.

From Project Gutenberg

Some elementary conception of it is in all probability coeval with the first dawn of human intelligence.

From Project Gutenberg