Iniquus

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Characterized by extreme unfairness or wickedness, often denoting moral depravity
2. describing actions or conditions that are unjust and contrary to ethical standards
3. signifying a state of being sinful or deeply immoral in nature

Etymology: "Iniquus" is a Latin adjective meaning "unequal," "uneven," or "unfair," built from "in-" ("not") and "aequus" ("equal, level, even"). The sense was originally about balance and fairness: something unequal in weight, or a bargain that favoured one side. Over time the idea of unfairness hardened into moral wrong, so that a person or act that cheated others or broke justice came to be called "iniquus." The English word "iniquity" descends from the Latin noun "iniquitas," the state of being unequal or unjust, and it entered English through Old French "iniquité." The adjective "iniquous" is a later, rarer English form that sits alongside it, and it keeps the same sense of gross wrongdoing rather than mere unfairness.

Synonyms: unjust, wicked, unfair, evil, sinful

Antonyms: just, fair, righteous, virtuous, honest