equitable, a.
(ˈɛkwɪtəb(ə)l)
[a. Fr. équitable, f. équité equity.]
1. Characterized by equity or fairness. a. Of actions, arrangements, decisions, etc.: That is in accordance with equity; fair, just, reasonable.
| 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. To Rdr. a 5 b, The equitable considerations and candour of reasonable mindes. 1649 Cromwell Lett. 15 Apr. (Carlyle), Both my paper..and yours of the 28th do in all literal and all equitable construction agree. 1654 True State Commonw. 11 To interpose upon the same equitable grounds. 1769 Robertson Chas. V, III. xi. 306 He might compel Charles to accept of an equitable peace. 1818 Jas. Mill Brit. India II. iv. v. 466 To take the lands..under an equitable valuation. 1856 Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. iv. 296 Their punishment, if tyrannical in form, was equitable in substance. |
b. Of persons: Guided by principles of equity, displaying a spirit of equity; unbiased, impartial, candid. Now rare.
| 1682 Burnet Rights Princes viii. 296 Equitable Judges would acknowledg that he had reason of his side. 1690 Boyle Chr. Virtuoso i. Pref. 2, I hope the Equitable Reader will not expect to find every Subject..fully Treated of. 1793 T. Beddoes Math. Evid. 153 Nor will any equitable critic..dwell a moment upon this charge. 1875 Manning Mission H. Ghost vi. 165 The more severe we are to our own faults, the more gentle and equitable we shall be to the faults of others. |
2. Pertaining to the department of jurisprudence called equity. Of rights, claims, etc.: Valid in ‘equity’ as distinguished from ‘law’.
| a 1720 Sheffield (Dk. Buckhm.) Wks. (1753) II. 105 They could make me no legal title..and I have only an equitable one to depend on. 1818 Cruise Digest I. 225 A trust estate..is good as an equitable jointure. 1845 Polson in Encycl. Metrop. 856/1 In Demerara, Berbice, the Cape of Good Hope, etc...the supreme courts are courts of equitable as well as legal jurisdiction. 1876 Digby Real Prop. vii. §4. 337 The legal estate is vested in the trustee, in trust for the cestui que trust, who has the equitable estate. |