equality English · revision 6684

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1398|origins=la aequus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ɪˈkwɑ.lɪ.ti/; /ɪˈkwɒl.ɪ.ti/ ''(UK)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English equalite, [[bor|fro|equalité|t=equality, parity]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002) from [[la|aequālitas|t=equality, likeness]], from [[m|la|aequālis|t=uniform, equal]] (see [[equal]]), from [[m|la|aequus|t=level, even]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Evenness, smoothness or uniformity: 1398 in the OED, the late 14th century in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Equality of amount or number is from about 1400.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) Having equal dignity, rank or privileges with others is from about 1425,^(OED 1989) and in reference to rights and privileges Etymonline dates it from the 1520s.^(Etymonline) In mathematics an equality is a statement that two quantities are equal (1570).^(OED 1989)^(AHD) Modern French égalité has its form from the 17th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1398 – evenness, uniformity.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1400 – equality of amount.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1425 – equality of rank.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1570 – in mathematics.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The state of being equal, especially in rights, status and opportunities: ''racial equality''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(mathematics)'' A statement that two quantities are equal; an [[equation]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[equalitarian]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[equal]]

+ * [[equity]]

+ * [[equate]]

+ * [[inequality]]

+ * [[egalitarian]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}