/ ˈekwəti; NAmE / noun
1.
[ U ] ( finance ) the value of a company's shares; the value of a property after all charges and debts have been paid
—see also negative equity
2.
equities [ pl. ] ( finance ) shares in a company which do not pay a fixed amount of interest
3.
[ U ] ( formal ) a situation in which everyone is treated equally
SYN fairness
OPP inequity
4.
[ U ] ( law ) ( especially BrE ) a system of natural justice allowing a fair judgement in a situation which is not covered by the existing laws
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French equité , from Latin aequitas , from aequus equal.