Nonproportionate

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. An absence of a balanced relation between components signifies a disparity in size, amount, or significance among various elements
2. This term indicates a lack of uniformity in the relationship between parts that leads to disproportionate size, quantity, or relevance in a comparison
3. Characterized by the lack of equal or appropriate size or amount in comparison to something else

Etymology: "Nonproportionate" is a plain formation: the prefix "non-" attached to "proportionate," which is itself "proportion" with the adjectival suffix "-ate" (from Latin "-atus," via Old French and Middle English). The prefix "non-" comes from Latin "non," meaning "not," and it has been used freely in English to negate adjectives, so "nonproportionate" literally means "not proportionate," or lacking a balanced relation between parts. The base word carries the older idea. "Proportion" traces to Latin "proportio," from "pro" (for, in relation to) plus "portio" (share, portion), so the root sense is a comparison of shares. "Nonproportionate" keeps that sense intact: when one element of a whole takes a larger or smaller share than the others, the relation between them is out of balance, as in a nonproportionate tax burden.