Parity
/ˈpær.ɪ.ti/noun
The state of being equal or equivalent, especially in value, status, or number.
Did you know?Parity comes from the same Latin root as *pair* and *peer*, so the idea of equality was originally tied to things being matched, matched-up, or evenly paired.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*per-
“to bring forth, produce, procure; later extended in Latin to the idea of getting or acquiring”
Latin
Latin
par
“equal, even, matching”
Latin
Latin
paritas
“equality, equivalence; sameness in rank or condition”
Middle French
Old French
parité
“equality, parity”
Late Middle English
English
parity
“equality; equivalence in rank, status, or amount”
Modern English
English
parity
“the condition of being equal or equivalent”