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disparity

 - 4 dictionary results

dis⋅par⋅i⋅ty

[di-spar-i-tee]
–noun, plural -ties.
lack of similarity or equality; inequality; difference: a disparity in age; disparity in rank.

Origin:
1545–55; < MF desparite < LL disparitās; see dis- 1 , parity 1


See difference.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
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dis·par·i·ty   (dĭ-spār'ĭ-tē)   
n.   pl. dis·par·i·ties
  1. The condition or fact of being unequal, as in age, rank, or degree; difference: "narrow the economic disparities among regions and industries" (Courtenay Slater).

  2. Unlikeness; incongruity.


[French disparité, from Old French desparite, from Late Latin disparitās : Latin dis-, dis- + Late Latin paritās, equality; see parity1.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

disparity 
c.1555, from M.Fr. disparité, from L.L. disparitatem "inequality," from L. dis- "not" + L.L. paritas (gen. paritatis) "parity" (see parity).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: dis·par·i·ty
Pronunciation: dis-'par-&t-E
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -ties
: the state ofbeing different or dissimilar (as in the sensory information received) —see RETINAL DISPARITY
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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