Iniquitous
/ɪˈnɪkwɪtəs/noun
Grossly unfair, unjust, or wicked.
Did you know?Iniquitous comes from Latin iniquus, “unequal” or “unjust,” reflecting an ancient idea that moral wrongdoing was a distortion of rightful balance.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂eyǵw-os
“Even, equal, or fitting”
Classical Latin
Latin
aequus
“Equal, level, fair, or just”
Classical Latin
Latin
inīquus
“Unequal, unfavorable, unjust, or hostile”
Late Latin
Latin
inīquitās
“Inequality, injustice, or wickedness”
14th Century
Middle English
iniquite
“Wickedness, injustice, or a wrongful act”
16th Century
English
iniquitous
“Marked by iniquity; wicked or unjust”
Modern English
English
iniquitous
“Grossly unfair, unjust, or wicked”