n.; pl. Inequalities [ L. inaequalitas. ] [ 1913 Webster ] 1. The quality of being unequal; difference, or lack of equality, in any respect; lack of uniformity; disproportion; unevenness; disparity; diversity; as, an inequality in size, stature, numbers, power, distances, motions, rank, property, etc. [ 1913 Webster ] There is so great an inequality in the length of our legs and arms as makes it impossible for us to walk on all four. Ray. [ 1913 Webster ] Notwithstanding which inequality of number, it was resolved in a council of war to fight the Dutch fleet. Ludlow. [ 1913 Webster ] Sympathy is rarely strong where there is a great inequality of condition. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Unevenness; lack of levelness; the alternate rising and falling of a surface; as, the inequalities of the surface of the earth, or of a marble slab, etc. [ 1913 Webster ] The country is cut into so many hills and inequalities as renders it defensible. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Variableness; changeableness; inconstancy; lack of smoothness or equability; deviation; unsteadiness, as of the weather, feelings, etc. [ 1913 Webster ] Inequality of air is ever an enemy to health. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. Disproportion to any office or purpose; inadequacy; competency; as, the inequality of terrestrial things to the wants of a rational soul. South. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. (Alg.) An expression consisting of two unequal quantities, with the sign of inequality (> or <) between them; as, the inequality 2 < 3, or 4 > 1. [ 1913 Webster ] 6. (Astron.) An irregularity, or a deviation, in the motion of a planet or satellite from its uniform mean motion; the amount of such deviation. [ 1913 Webster ] |