Nonequilibria

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A state characterized by the absence of balance or equilibrium among forces or elements in a system
2. An instance where opposing factors or conditions do not reach a state of stability or equal distribution
3. A situation in which multiple competing influences result in an unstable configuration, failing to achieve equilibrium

Etymology: The root of this word is a set of scales. Latin "libra" meant a balance or a pound weight, which is why the abbreviation "lb" for pound still exists and why the zodiac sign Libra is shown as a pair of scales. Joined with "aequus," meaning level or equal, it formed "aequilibrium," literally "equal balance," and English took over the Latin form as "equilibrium." The prefix "non-" simply means "not" and attaches freely to English words, so a nonequilibrium is a state in which balance has not been reached. Its plural, "nonequilibria," keeps the "-ia" ending borrowed from Greek neuter plurals, as in "criteria" and "phenomena." The form is common in physics and chemistry, where researchers study systems that never settle into equal balance.