unequal

▪ I. unˈequal, n.
    [un-¹ 7, 12; cf. next.]
    1. pl. Persons who are not on an equality with each other in respect of rank or social standing.

1600 W. Watson Decacordon (1602) 51 It is an act of great humility..neither to striue for the last or first word, or place taking amongst not much vnequals. 1667 Milton P.L. viii. 383 Among unequals what societie Can sort, what harmonie or true delight? 1768 Woman of Honor II. 56 Such is generally the end of that society among unequals. 1875 Poste Gaius i. (ed. 2) 40 The law of Persons considers men as unequals.

    2. pl. Things that are not equal to each other in kind, magnitude, etc.

1611 W. Sclater Key (1629) 149 An Antithesis of things diuers;..secondly, a comparison of vnequals. a 1653 Gouge Comm. Heb. iii. 2 Unequals may be compared in quality and likeness, though not in equality. 1719 Whiston Elem. Euclid 6 If to Unequals you add Equals, the Wholes will be unequal. 1789 T. Taylor Proclus II. 17 Let a be equal to b, and add to each the unequals c, d.

▪ II. unˈequal, a. and adv.
    [un-¹ 7 and 5 b: cf. the earlier unegall (uneguall) and inequal.]
    1. Not equal in amount, size, quality, etc. a. Of two or more things or persons in comparison with each other.

1565 Cooper Thes., Calami dispares, vnequall reedes, one smaller then an other. 1570 Billingsley Euclid i. post. v. 7 If to vnequall thinges ye adde equall thinges, the whole shall be vnequall. 1607 J. Davies (Heref.) Summa Totalis Wks. (Grosart) I. 14/2 Then, if his Will and Prayer vnequall be, How shall we equall make his Properties? 1653 W. Blithe Eng. Improver Imp. 197, I..onely advise that if your horses be unequall for height, then place the highest formost. 1693 T. Creech in Dryden's Juvenal xiii. (1697) 328 Ev'ry Age relates That equal Crimes have met unequal Fates. 1743 Francis tr. Hor., Odes i. xxxiii. 16 With sportive cruelty she binds Unequal forms, unequal minds. 1784 Astle Orig. & Progr. Writing 79 The Rustic capitals were bold, negligent, unequal. 1836 W. C. Taylor Anc. Hist. xvi. §i. 372 Tarraconensis was divided into two unequal portions by the river Iberus. 1860 Tyndall Glac. i. xiv. 95 Three stakes..would, I think, move with unequal velocities. 1861 J. S. Adams 5000 Musical Terms 104 Compositions written for both male and female voices are said to be for unequal voices.

    b. With abstract ns. in the singular.

1593 Shakes. 3 Hen. VI, iii. ii. 159 Shee did corrupt frayle Nature..To shape my Legges of an vnequall size. 1651 Hobbes Leviath. i. viii. 34 The Experience of men equall in age, is not much unequall, as to the quantity. 1710 Tatler No. 235 ¶1 That unequal Love by which Parents distinguish their Children from each other. 1780 Cowper Progr. Error 560 Halting on crutches of unequal size. 1827 Jarman Powell's Devises II. 265 There seems to be no solid ground for treating with such unequal regard the two objects of the testator's bounty. 1838 Lytton Calderon i, The courtiers one by one approached the marquis, who received them with very unequal courtesy. 1908 Animal Managem. 185 The more unequal the balance of weight carried the greater the risk of injury.

    c. Of single persons or things.

a 1677 Barrow Math. x. 233 That will be called unequal, which contains in it another..and some thing besides. 1829 Scott Anne of G. xxxv, Surely..a match with one so unequal in birth..was too monstrous to be mentioned? 1887 Bowen æneid i. 475 Ill-starred youth, for Achilles unequal match in the fight.

    d. Of numbers: Odd; not even.

1697 Dryden Virg. Past. viii. 105 Thrice bind about his thrice devoted Head,..Unequal numbers please the Gods. 1807 Robinson Archæol. Græca v. x. (1827) 447 The gods were supposed to be pleased with unequal numbers.

    2. † a. Of things: Inadequate, insufficient. Obs.

1582 Bentley Mon. Matrones iii. 278 Continue, O God, such goodnesse towards me,..which doo here..appeale..to accept mine vnequall thanks for the same. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. Pref., Authority..which the privacie of our condition, and unequall abilities cannot expect. 1676 Dryden Aurengz. i. i. 74 Those Rebel-Sons, who dare..To sway his Empire with unequal Skill And mount a throne which none but he can fill. 1736 Gray Statius i. 5 From out the gazing host Young Pterelas with strength unequal drew, Labouring, the disc, and to small distance threw.

    b. Not equal or adequate to some task, etc. (Occas. with inf. or vbl. n.)

a 1694 Tillotson Serm. (1743) VII. 1991 We are very unequal to our religion, if we make a doubt of these things. 1776 Gibbon Decl. & F. ii. (1782) I. 60 Four of them were immediately rejected as unequal to the burden. 1802 M. Moore Lascelles II. 99, I was unequal to personally opposing that dear friend. 1816 Scott Old Mort. xxxiii, Unequal..to arrange his own thoughts into suitable expressions. 1855 Macaulay Hist. Eng. xii. III. 229 Avaux had given it as his opinion that Richard Hamilton was unequal to the difficulties of the situation. 1885 ‘F. Anstey’ Tinted Venus 111 Imagination was unequal to the task.

    3. Exhibiting inequality in some respect; varying, variable: a. In movement or action.

1565 Cooper Inæquabilis percussus venarum, vnequall pulse. 1655 Culpepper, etc., Riverius viii. ii. 181 After an unequal Pulse, he fell into a Palpitation and an Asthma, and so died. 1715 tr. Gregory's Astron. (1726) I. 463 The Motion of this Body which is in its own Nature unequal, ought to be reduced to an equality. 1799 in Spirit Pub. Jrnls. III. 271 The gratitude of the depredator of Hibernia walked forth with unequal pace by the side of his emoluments. 1821 Scott Kenilw. xxxiv, Her step was not only slow, but even unequal.

    b. In extent, amount, duration, etc.

1591 G. Fletcher Russe Commw. (Hakl. Soc.) 112 By means of an unequall partition of the people and parishes. 1593 T. Fale Dialling 40 By an unequall houre is meant the 12 part of the day whether it be short or long. 1656 Earl of Monmouth tr. Boccalini's Advts. fr. Parnass. i. xxiv. (1674) 26 Is it not..able to make a man die for anger,..in so unequal a thirst, to drink still the same measure? 1684 Earl Roscom. Ess. Transl. Verse 234 If you will unequal Numbers try, Their Accents on odd Syllables must lie. 1815 Stephens in Shaw's Gen. Zool. IX. i. 6 Tail very long, unequal, the outer feathers the shortest: tip black. 1836 Macgillivray Trav. Humboldt xxi. 302 The climate..is marked by an unequal distribution of heat at different periods of the year.

spec. 1816 R. Jameson Char. Min. (ed. 2) 204 Unequal tourmaline..is a nine-sided prism, having seven alternating planes on one extremity, and three on the other.

    c. In surface: Uneven, undulating.

1613 Purchas Pilgrimage viii. iii. 624 The unequall Seas, which might amaze the hearer, and amate the beholder. 1686 tr. Chardin's Trav. Persia 79 The Country it self is unequal; full of Hills.., Valleys and Plains. 1718 Prior Solomon ii. 5 The perplexing and unequal Ways, Where Study brings Thee. 1732 Munro Anat. Bones 131 This Bone is extremely ragged and unequal. 1796 F. Burney Camilla I. 4 The parsonage-house.., beautifully situated in the unequal county of Hampshire. 1826 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. xlvi. IV. 270 Unequal, having very slight and indeterminate excavations. 1852 Bailey Festus (ed. 4) 342 Shining upon it like the quiet moon Illustrating the obscure unequal earth.

    d. In character, condition, quality, etc.

1703 Rowe Fair Penit. iv. i. 1259 With what unequal Tempers are we form'd? 1799 S. & Ht. Lee Canterb. T. (1800) III. 147 Her spirits were often unequal from the delicate state of her health. 1811 Scott Let. in Lockhart (1837) II. xi. 364 The unknown author of a fine, but unequal poem, called Albania. 1897 G. Duff Notes from Diary (1911) 81 No man writes above himself; but most men are very unequal.

    † 4. a. Not characterized by equal or fair treatment; inequitable, unjust, unfair. Obs.

1535 Coverdale Ezek. xviii. 25 Are my wayes vnright, o ye house of Israel? Are not youre wayes rather vnequall? a 1578 Lindesay (Pitscottie) Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.) I. 66 His unequall punisching of innocencie. 1606 Shakes. Ant. & Cl. ii. v. 101 To punnish me for what you make me do Seemes much vnequall. 1620 E. Blount Horæ Subs. 531 It is a thing both vnequall and vniust to insnare the people with multitude of Lawes. 1647 J. Taylor Lib. Proph. Ep. Ded. 12 Yet it will be unequall to say, that he who owns this Doctrine preaches it lawfull. 1761 Hume Hist. Eng. I. x. 205 To lend [money] at exorbitant and unequal interest.

    † b. Of persons: Acting, or disposed to act, unfairly or unjustly. Obs.

1588 Greene Pandosto (1607) 15 Iealousie is an vnequall Iudge. 1605 B. Jonson Volpone iii. ii, You are vnequall to me, and how ere Your sentence may be righteous, yet you are not. 1628 Feltham Resolves ii. xxiii. 75 Few againe are so iust, as that they seeme not to some vnequall. a 1721 Prior Ess. Opinion Wks. 1907 II. 195 You will find him always uncertain,..an Unequal Parent and a froward Master. 1725 Pope Odyss. xiv. 73 Far hence is by unequal Gods remov'd That man of bounties!

transf. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 629 The sword, the vnequallest arbiter of equity, is now made vmpire. 1630 R. N. tr. Camden's Hist. Eliz. i. 111 She..admonished her,..saying that the times were vnequall and maligne, and malice blinde. 1743 Francis tr. Hor., Odes ii. x. 4 And when you hear the tempest roar, Press not too near th' unequal shore.

    5. a. In which the two sides or parties are not on equal terms, or have not equal advantage.

1552 Elyot, Impar certamen, in contencion, or in gameyng, where is an vnequall matche. 1591 Shakes. 1 Hen. VI, v. v. 34 A poore Earles daughter is vnequall oddes, And therefore may be broke without offence. 1604 Bacon Apol. Wks. 1879 I. 437, I doubted his words would have so unequal a passage above theirs that should charge him. 1671 Milton Samson 346 Himself an Army, now unequal match To save himself against a coward arm'd At one spears length. 1748 Anson Voy. iii. x. 416 This was much short of her value, but the impatience of the Commodore..prompted them to insist on so unequal a bargain. 1796 F. Burney Camilla III. 390 She had entered the world, by a sudden and most unequal marriage. 1833 H. Martineau Cinnamon & Pearls v. 92 The colony will not long fulfil its part in this unequal bargain. 1856 Kane Arct. Expl. II. xx. 205, I left my own tired dogs.., and took from them their only team in unequal exchange.

    b. esp. (a) Of combats or contests.

1654 Fuller Two Serm. 4 The next verse presents an unequall combat between armed power..and naked Innocence. 1697 Dryden æneis ix. 542 Or desperate should he rush and lose his life, With odds oppressed, in such unequal strife? c 1750 Shenstone Ruin'd Abbey 56 My pinnace..shuns Th' unequal conflict, and declines the deep. 1817 Shelley Rev. Islam vi. xiv, Then the combat grew Unequal but most horrible. 1878 Davidson Inverurie & Garioch ix. 317 The struggle with England which ensued was necessarily an unequal one.

    (b) Of treaties, etc.

1682 W. Evats tr. Grotius' Rights of War & Peace ii. xv. 184 Unequal leagues are often made, not only between the Conquerors and the Conquered..but also between people of unequal power. 1799 T. Rutherforth Inst. Nat. Law (ed. 3) II. ix. 595 Unequal compacts, which lay the greater burden on the inferior party, are either such as diminish the sovereign power..or such as do not diminish this power. 1814 A. C. Campbell tr. Grotius' Rights of War & Peace II. xv. 127 Unequal treaties may be made not only between the conquerors and the conquered, but also between mighty and impotent states, between whom no hostilities have ever existed. 1925 China Yearbk. 891 The ‘most favoured nation clause’..is the basis of the intercourse between China and most foreign countries. The ‘most favoured nation clause’ is unilateral and is the ground for the recent agitation against ‘unequal treaties’. 1962 E. Snow Other Side of River (1963) iv. 38 Under the unequal treaties foreign nationals had extraterritoriality rights which enabled them to reside and do business in China while remaining accountable only to their own courts. 1973 I. M. Sinclair Vienna Convention on Law of Treaties iv. 108 The Afro-Asian majority were extremely reluctant to countenance any material departure from the texts proposed by the Commission, particularly if it could be represented that the change was designed to keep in being so-called ‘unequal’ treaties.

    † c. Disproportionate, excessive. Obs.

1704 Swift Battle of Bks. ¶10 Which, yielding to the unequal Weight, sunk down to the very Foundation. 1717 Pope Eloisa 195 Unequal task! a passion to resign, For hearts so touch'd,..so lost as mine.

    6. Comb., as unequal-lengthed, unequal-lobed, unequal-sided, unequal-tempered, unequal-valved.

1853 R. S. Surtees Sponge's Sp. Tour lv, The *unequal⁓lengthed candles of the previous night's illumination.

1851 G. A. Mantell Petrifact. v. §2. 433 Two genera..which are characterised by their *unequal-lobed tail.

1725 W. Halfpenny Sound Building 19 An *unequal-sided Groin. 1856 Henslow Dict. Bot. Terms 208 Unequal-sided, when opposite sides are not symmetrical. 1885 J. E. Taylor Brit. Fossils 243 The shells are frequently unequal-sided.

1703 Moxon Mech. Exerc. 169 Heavy *unequal tempered Stuff.

1822 J. Parkinson Outl. Oryctol. 187 An irregular, adherent, *unequal-valved bivalve.

    7. adv. or quasi-adv.

1602 Shakes. Ham. ii. ii. 493 (Q 1), Vnequall matcht, Pirrhus at Priam driues. 1663 Gerbier Counsel 50 To cause the foundation..to be..laid, without leaving any toutchings, since walls new begun on them will settle more unequal than those [etc.]. 1700 S. Wesley Epist. Poetry 12 Of Chaucer's Verse we scarce the Measures know, So rough the Lines, and so unequal flow. 1853 Markham Skoda's Auscult. 266 Unequal-bubbling dull râles.

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