inequality English · revision 15073

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=probably before 1425|origins=la aequālis}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˌɪn.ɪˈkwɒl.ə.ti/, US /ˌɪn.ɪˈkwɑː.lə.t̬i/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fro|inequalité]] and directly [[la-med|inaequālitās]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) from [[la|inaequālis|t=unequal, unlike, changeable]], from [[m|la|in-|t=not]] and [[m|la|aequālis|t=equal]] (see [[equal]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Difference of rank or dignity: probably before 1425 in Barnhart, the early 15th century in Etymonline, 1484 in the OED.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Inequality of size, number or intensity is from 1531.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) Uneven distribution is from 1538,^(OED 1989) superiority or inferiority from 1553,^(OED 1989) and an irregularity of surface from 1607.^(OED 1989) In mathematics an inequality is a statement that two quantities are not equal.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * probably before 1425 – inequality.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1484 – social disparity.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1531 – of size or number.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1607 – unevenness of surface.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The state of being unequal; [[disparity]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An instance of disparity.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Social or economic disparity, as of opportunity or status.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Lack of smoothness or regularity.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(mathematics)'' A statement that one quantity is not equal to another, as ''x > y''.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[equal]]

+ * [[equality]]

+ * [[unequal]]

+ * [[iniquity]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}