Identity, n.; pl. Identities.
Etymology: [F. identité, LL. identitas, fr. L. idem the same, from the root of is he, that; cf. Skr. idam this. Cf. Item.]
1. The state or quality of being identical, or the same; sameness. Identity is a relation between our cognitions of a thing, not between things themselves. Sir W. Hamilton.
2. The condition of being the same with something described or asserted, or of possessing a character claimed; as, to establish the identity of stolen goods.
3. (Math.)
An identical equation.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists identity only as an antonym, under change, difference.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.
Synonyms
none given