gleichmäßige

Gleichmäßige is an inflected form of the German adjective gleichmäßig, meaning even, uniform, or regular. It is used attributively before a noun to describe a property that is evenly distributed, steady, or consistent. The form changes with gender, number, and case, and appears in several common patterns:

- Feminine singular with a definite article: Die gleichmäßige Verteilung.

- Neuter singular with a definite article: Das gleichmäßige Muster.

- Plural with a definite article: Die gleichmäßigen Muster.

- Feminine singular with an indefinite article: Eine gleichmäßige Bewegung.

Predicative use, where the adjective follows a linking verb, typically retains the base form: Die Verteilung ist gleichmäßig.

Common contexts and meanings

Gleichmäßig is frequently used to describe distributions, movements, or processes that proceed at a steady rate or are evenly spread. In statistics and probability, terms like gleichmäßige Verteilung describe a uniform distribution where each outcome is equally likely. In mathematics, gleichmäßige Konvergenz refers to uniform convergence of functions. In everyday language, it can describe things like a gleichmäßige Taktung (even tempo), eine gleichmäßige Hautfarbe (even skin tone), or eine gleichmäßige Leistung (consistent performance).

Etymology and related terms

Gleichmäßig derives from gleich (equal) and mäßig (measured), conveying the sense of measured or evenly balanced. The noun form Gleichmäßigkeit means uniformity or regularity. The adverbial use of gleichmäßig is common, as in Er bewegt sich gleichmäßig.

Overall, gleichmäßige functions as a versatile descriptor across science, mathematics, arts, and everyday speech to denote consistency, regularity, and uniform distribution.