tantamount

tantamount
/t;n;ta;m;nt/

Definition: equivalent in value, significance, or effect; having the same meaning or impact.

Origin: Early 17th century from the Latin "tantum" meaning "so much" and "amount" from Old French "amont," meaning "up."

Example: His refusal to apologize was tantamount to admitting guilt in the eyes of the jury.

"Tantamount" essentially means "equivalent." It conveys the idea that two things hold the same weight or significance in a given context. For instance, when someone says that a particular action is tantamount to a specific consequence, they are indicating that the action carries the same implications or results as that consequence. This word is often used in legal and moral discussions to underscore the equivalence of actions and their repercussions, emphasizing that certain behaviors can be interpreted as having the same meaning or effect as others, regardless of their differing forms.