'equidistant' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'aequidistans,' where 'aequi-' meant 'equal' and 'distans' meant 'standing apart.'

'aequidistans' transformed into the French word 'équidistant,' and eventually became the modern English word 'equidistant' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'standing equally apart,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.