iniquity

Definitions

in- (not) + equ (even, fair) + -ity = 'un-evenness, unfairness.' The aequus vowel shifted to 'iqu' inside the word. Through biblical and religious use, 'unfairness' was pushed to its moral extreme until iniquity came to mean gross wickedness and sin.

Why It Means This

Iniquity and inequity share the exact same Latin parts (in- + aequus + -ity), but split into two words with different weights. Inequity stayed literal — everyday unfairness, like wage inequity. Iniquity, carried into English through scripture, hardened into a near-synonym for sin and deep evil. The leap is moral: unfairness taken to its darkest extreme becomes wickedness itself.

Common Collocations

• 1.iniquity of...的不公正
• 2.gross iniquity明显的不公正
• 3.[iniquity] act[邪恶]行为

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The prophet condemned the iniquity of the corrupt rulers.

• 2.

  They lived in a den of iniquity, far from any law.

• 3.

  History remembers the iniquity of that unjust regime.

Easily Confused

iniquity vs. inequity — almost identical spelling, very different force. inequity = unfairness (social inequity, wage inequity). iniquity = wickedness, sin (a den of iniquity). If you mean 'unfair,' use inequity; if you mean 'deeply evil,' use iniquity.