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eq·ui·ty (ĕkwĭ-tē)
Share:
n. pl. eq·ui·ties
1. The state or quality of being just and fair.
2. Something that is just and fair.
3. Law
a. Justice achieved not simply according to the strict letter of the law but in accordance with principles of substantial justice and the unique facts of the case.
c. An equitable right or claim: an analysis of the equities and inequities brought about by the current trade bill.
4.
a. Ownership interest in a corporation, property, or other holding, usually calculated as the value of the holding after subtracting any debt or liabilities.
b. equities Shares of common stock or preferred stock.
5. The value of a brand's reputation.
adj.
1. Representing an ownership interest: an equity stake.
2. Of or relating to stocks: an equity mutual fund.
3. Subordinated to all other claims on income, earnings, or assets: the equity tranche.

[Middle English equite, from Old French, from Latin aequitās, from aequus, even, fair.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.