equity English · revision 6155

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1315|origins=la aequus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈek.wɪ.ti/, US /ˈek.wɪ.t̬i/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English equite, [[bor|fro|equité]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) a learned borrowing of [[la|aequitās|t=equality, uniformity; fairness, just conduct]] (accusative aequitatem),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[m|la|aequus|t=even, just, equal]] (see [[equal]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Fairness, impartiality, even-handed dealing: about 1315 in the OED,^(OED 1989) before 1333 in Shoreham's poems in Barnhart,^(Barnhart 1988) the early 14th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ What is equally right or just to all concerned is from the late 14th century.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The OED notes that Latin aequitās was influenced by being the usual rendering of [[grc|ἐπιείκεια|tr=epieíkeia|t=reasonableness]], moderation in insisting on one's rights.^(Etymonline) In law, natural equity, the settlement of disputes by good conscience, after Roman naturalis aequitas, is from the late 14th century, and in England and the United States the system of jurisprudence that supplements the common law, and the courts that apply it, from the 1590s.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) An equitable right recognized by a court of equity is from the 1620s,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and the ''equity of redemption'', a mortgagor's right to redeem the property, from 1712.^(OED 1989) The financial senses, the value of a property beyond what is owed on it and the shareholders' interest in a company, are originally American, from 1904,^(OED 1989) and the plural equities, ordinary shares, followed.^(Collins 2023)^(AHD) The actors' trade union in Britain is called Equity.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1315 – fairness, impartiality.^(OED 1989)

+ * late 14th century – natural equity in law.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1591 – the English system of equity.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1620s – an equitable right.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1712 – equity of redemption.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1904 – the value beyond debts, in the US.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The quality of being fair and impartial; [[justice]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(law)'' A system of [[jurisprudence]] based on natural justice, supplementing and softening the rigour of the [[common law]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(law)'' An equitable right or claim.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The value of a property or business beyond any [[mortgage]] or debts on it.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The interest of ordinary [[shareholder|alt=shareholders]] in a company;^(Collins 2023) ''(equities)'' ordinary shares.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[equitable]]

+ * [[court of equity]]

+ * [[equity of redemption]]

+ * [[sweat equity]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[equal]]

+ * [[iniquity]]

+ * [[adequate]]

+ * [[equanimity]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}