Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
inequality - 4 dictionary results

in⋅e⋅qual⋅i⋅ty

[in-i-kwol-i-tee]
–noun, plural -ties.
1. the condition of being unequal; lack of equality; disparity: inequality of size.
2. social disparity: inequality between the rich and the poor.
3. disparity or relative inadequacy in natural endowments: a startling inequality of intellect, talents, and physical stamina.
4. injustice; partiality.
5. unevenness, as of surface.
6. an instance of unevenness.
7. variableness, as of climate.
8. Astronomy.
a. any component part of the departure from uniformity in astronomical phenomena, esp. in orbital motion.
b. the amount of such a departure.
9. Mathematics. a statement that two quantities are unequal, indicated by the symbol ≠; alternatively, by the symbol <, signifying that the quantity preceding the symbol is less than that following, or by the symbol >, signifying that the quantity preceding the symbol is greater than that following.

Origin:
1375–1425; late ME < L inaequālitās. See in- 3 , equality
in·e·qual·i·ty   (ĭn'ĭ-kwŏl'ĭ-tē)   
n.   pl. in·e·qual·i·ties
    1. The condition of being unequal.
    2. An instance of being unequal.
    3. Lack of equality, as of opportunity, treatment, or status.
    4. Social or economic disparity: the growing inequality between rich and poor.
    1. Lack of equality, as of opportunity, treatment, or status.
    2. Social or economic disparity: the growing inequality between rich and poor.
  1. Lack of smoothness or regularity; unevenness.
  2. Variability; changeability.
  3. Mathematics An algebraic relation showing that a quantity is greater than or less than another quantity.
  4. Astronomy A deviation from uniformity in the motion of a celestial body.

Inequality

In`e*qual"i*ty\, n.; pl. Inequalities. [L. inaequalitas.]

1. The quality of being unequal; difference, or want of equality, in any respect; lack of uniformity; disproportion; unevenness; disparity; diversity; as, an inequality in size, stature, numbers, power, distances, motions, rank, property, etc.

There is so great an inequality in the length of our legs and arms as makes it impossible for us to walk on all four. --Ray.

Notwithstanding which inequality of number, it was resolved in a council of war to fight the Dutch fleet. --Ludlow.

Sympathy is rarely strong where there is a great inequality of condition. --Macaulay.

2. Unevenness; want of levelness; the alternate rising and falling of a surface; as, the inequalities of the surface of the earth, or of a marble slab, etc.

The country is cut into so many hills and inequalities as renders it defensible. --Addison.

3. Variableness; changeableness; inconstancy; lack of smoothness or equability; deviation; unsteadiness, as of the weather, feelings, etc.

Inequality of air is ever an enemy to health. --Bacon.

4. Disproportion to any office or purpose; inadequacy; competency; as, the inequality of terrestrial things to the wants of a rational soul. --South.

5. (Alg.) An expression consisting of two unequal quantities, with the sign of inequality (.gt. or .lt.) between them; as, the inequality 2 .lt. 3, or 4 .gt. 1.

6. (Astron.) An irregularity, or a deviation, in the motion of a planet or satellite from its uniform mean motion; the amount of such deviation.
Language Translation for : inequality
Spanish: desigualdad,
German: die Ungleichheit,
Japanese: 不平等

inequality 
1484, "difference of rank or dignity," from O.Fr. inequalité (14c.), from M.L. inæqualitas, from inæqualis "unequal," from in- "not" + æqualis "equal" (see equal).
Search another word or see inequality on Thesaurus | Reference