† ˈepiky Obs.
Also 6 epicay, -cheia.
[ad. Gr. ἐπιείκεια, f. ἐπιεικής reasonable, f. ἐπί according to + εἰκός likely, reasonable. Cf. OF. epyeykie (14th c.).]
Reasonableness, equity, as opposed to rigid law.
| 1508 Fisher 7 Penit. Ps. in Wks. i. 261 Epicheia whiche is proprely the mynde of the lawe. 1531 Dial. Laws Eng i. xvi. (1638) 28 His equity or Epicay. 1549 Latimer Serm. v. O iiij, For auoydyng disturbaunce in the communewealth, such an epiky and moderacion maye be vsed in it [this law]. |