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 (> or <) between them; as, the inequality 2 < 3, or 4
> 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.
Hear it pronounced