Iniquity
/ɪˈnɪkwəti/noun
Grossly unjust, immoral, or wicked behavior.
Did you know?In biblical Latin, iniquity was closely tied to crookedness and injustice, turning a physical image of unevenness into a moral one.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂eǵw-
“Even, equal, or level; the reconstructed ancestor associated with the idea of balance.”
Classical Latin
Latin
aequus
“Equal, even, fair, or impartial.”
Classical Latin
Latin
iniquus
“Unequal, unfair, unjust; formed with in- meaning “not” plus aequus.”
Late Latin
Latin
iniquitas
“Unequalness, injustice, or wickedness.”
Old French
Old French
iniquité
“Injustice, wickedness, or sinful conduct.”
Middle English
English
iniquite
“Wickedness, sin, or wrongdoing.”
Modern English
English
iniquity
“Gross injustice or immoral behavior.”
Explore more surprising origins