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Contextual equivalence ($M_1 \cong_{ctx} M_2$) is often defined as: $C[M_1] \Downarrow V \iff C[M_2] \Downarrow V$

Which is to say for any context $C$, $C[M_1]$ terminates with value $V$ iff $C[M_2]$ terminates with value $V$.

Is there a name for the weaker equivalence: $C[M_1] \Downarrow V_1 \wedge C[M_2] \Downarrow V_2 \Rightarrow V_1 = V_2$?

Which is to say $C[M_1]$ and $C[M_2]$ reduce to equal values iff they both terminate.

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(This is an extended comment).

I may be misreading your definitions, but it seems to me that the relation you introduce, let us call it $\simeq$, is not an equivalence relation because it is not transitive.

If $V_1,V_2$ are two distinct closed normal forms (values), then obviously $V_1\not\simeq V_2$.

On the other hand, the genericity lemma (Proposition 14.3.24 in Barendregt's $\lambda$-calculus book) says that given an unsolvable term, say $\Omega$, for any context $C$, either $C[\Omega]\!\Uparrow$ or $C[M]$ has the same normal form (a value, if we assume to work with closed terms) for every term $M$ (including $\Omega$). This shows in particular that $\Omega\simeq V_1$ and $\Omega\simeq V_2$, hence the failure of transitivity.

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  • $\begingroup$ Yes you've understood my definitions perfectly, and it looks like I have a "tolerance relation" rather than an equivalence. $\endgroup$
    – Will
    Apr 27, 2015 at 18:39
  • $\begingroup$ Interesting. Does anyone see what the set of "transitive" terms here looks like? $\endgroup$
    – Basil
    May 24, 2015 at 9:37

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