equality etymology

Etymology:

• Middle English: egalité, from Anglo-Norman egalite, from Old French egalite
• Old French: from egal, from Latin aequalis ("equal")
• Latin: from aequus ("even, equal") + -alis (suffix forming adjectives)

Meaning:

• The state or quality of being equal
• The condition of having the same rights, status, opportunities, or treatment
• The principle that all people should be treated fairly and justly, regardless of their differences

Origin:

The concept of equality has been a part of human thought and culture for centuries. It is rooted in the idea that all people are inherently worthy of respect and dignity.

• In ancient Greece, the philosopher Aristotle argued that all citizens should be treated equally under the law.
• In the Roman Empire, the concept of equality was enshrined in the legal principle of "ius gentium," which applied to all free individuals, regardless of their citizenship.
• During the Middle Ages, the idea of equality was often associated with the concept of natural law, which held that all humans are born with certain inalienable rights.
• The concept of equality also played a central role in the Enlightenment, with philosophers such as John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau arguing that all people are endowed with certain fundamental rights and freedoms.

The modern conception of equality as a universal principle was largely shaped by the American and French Revolutions. The Declaration of Independence (1776) declared that "all men are created equal," while the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (1789) proclaimed that "all men are born free and equal in rights."

Today, the principle of equality is enshrined in numerous international agreements and domestic laws around the world. It is recognized as a fundamental human right and is essential for the functioning of any just and democratic society.

equality relate terms

• equal

  Etymology Old French egal Latin aequālis Proto Indo European h₁éḱwos Meaning

• egalitarian

  Etymology Latin aequus equal litas condition Meaning and Origin The word ega

• equality

  Etymology Middle English egalité from Anglo Norman egalite from Old French egalite

• equalitarian

  Etymology The word equalitarian comes from the Latin word aequalis meaning equal

• equality

  Etymology Middle English egalité from Anglo Norman egalite from Old French egalite

• humanitarian

  Etymology The term humanitarian originates from the Latin phrase humanitas meaning

• inequality

  Etymology and Meaning The word inequality traces its roots to the Latin word inaequali

• equation

  Etymology Equation comes from the Latin word aequatio which means a making equal

• isonomia

  Etymology Greek ἰσονομία isonomia From ἴσος isos equal νόμο

• aporia

• equinox

  Etymology The word equinox is derived from the Latin word aequinoctium which transl

• isomeric

  Etymology Isomer comes from the Greek words isos equal and meros part Meros

• position

  Etymology From Middle English posicion from Anglo Norman posicion from Old French pos

• status

  Etymology The word status comes from the Latin word status which means standing po