What is "setoid"

n. (context set theory English) A set together with an equivalence relation.

In mathematics, a setoid (also called an E-set) is a set (or type) equipped with an equivalence relation.

Setoids are studied especially in proof theory and in type-theoretic foundations of mathematics. Often in mathematics, when one defines an equivalence relation on a set, one immediately forms the quotient set (turning equivalence into equality). In contrast, setoids may be used when a difference between identity and equivalence must be maintained, often with an interpretation of intensional equality (the equality on the original set) and extensional equality (the equivalence relation, or the equality on the quotient set).