equity

[ ek-wi-tee ]

noun

, plural eq·ui·ties.

1. the quality of being fair or impartial; fairness; impartiality:

   the equity of Solomon.

   Synonyms: justice, objectivity, justness, disinterest

   Antonyms: discrimination, bias, injustice, prejudice, partisanship, partiality, inequity

2. something that is fair and just:

   The concepts and principles of health equities and inequities are important to society as a whole.

3. the policy or practice of accounting for the differences in each individual’s starting point when pursuing a goal or achievement, and working to remove barriers to equal opportunity, as by providing support based on the unique needs of individual students or employees. Compare equality ( def 1 ).
4. Law.
   1. Also called chan·cer·y [chan, -s, uh, -ree, chahn, -]. the application of the dictates of conscience or the principles of natural justice to the settlement of controversies.
   2. Also called chan·cer·y [chan, -s, uh, -ree, chahn, -]. a system of jurisprudence or a body of doctrines and rules developed in England and followed in the U.S., serving to supplement and remedy the limitations and the inflexibility of the common law.
   3. an equitable or legally valid right or claim.
   4. equity of redemption.
5. the monetary value of a property or business beyond any amounts owed on it in mortgages, claims, liens, etc.:

   Over the years, they have carefully avoided tapping into their home equity for unnecessary expenses.

6. Informal. ownership, especially when considered as the right to share in future profits or appreciation in value.
7. the interest of the owner of common stock in a corporation.
8. (in a margin account) the excess of the market value of the securities over any indebtedness.
9. Equity. Actors' Equity Association.

equity

¹

/ ˈɛkwɪtɪ /

noun

1. the quality of being impartial or reasonable; fairness
2. an impartial or fair act, decision, etc
3. law a system of jurisprudence founded on principles of natural justice and fair conduct. It supplements the common law and mitigates its inflexibility, as by providing a remedy where none exists at law
4. law an equitable right or claim

   equity of redemption

5. the interest of ordinary shareholders in a company
6. the market value of a debtor's property in excess of all debts to which it is liable

Equity

²

/ ˈɛkwɪtɪ /

noun

1. the actors' trade union Full nameActors' Equity Association

equity

¹

1. In real estate, the financial value of someone's property over and above the amount the person owes on mortgages . For example, if you buy a house for $100,000, paying $20,000 down and borrowing $80,000, your equity in the house is $20,000. As you pay off the principal of the loan, your equity will rise.

equity

²

1. A body of rules or customs based on general principles of fair play rather than on common law or statutory law .

Word History and Origins

Origin of equity¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English equite, equitee, equyte, from Old French equité, from Latin aequitāt-, stem of aequitās “evenness, smoothness, fairness”; equi-, -ty ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of equity¹

C14: from Old French equite, from Latin aequitās, from aequus level, equal

Example Sentences

In a statement, Cedars-Sinai said that “we respectfully disagree with the department’s assertions but pledge to continue working to improve maternal health equity.”

From Los Angeles Times

The survey highlighted how people with disabilities and women might have nuanced requirements from footpaths and that tailoring improvements to meet their needs could enhance accessibility and equity.

From BBC

These factors collectively make equities more appealing than fixed-income investments like bonds, analysts say.

From Salon

Sir Tom, from New Cumnock in East Ayrshire, started in business selling trainers from the back of a van but eventually built a property and equity business once valued at more than £1bn.

From BBC

The Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, for example, only has 7% of its assets in listed equities, compared with 60% for traditional pension funds.

From BBC

Related Words

• capital
• investment