equity

noun (plural equities)

• 1the quality of being fair and impartial:equity of treatment
• Law a branch of law that developed alongside common law and is concerned with fairness and justice, formerly administered in special courts: if there is any conflict between the principles of common law and equity, equity prevails

• 2the value of the shares issued by a company:he owns 62% of the group’s equity
• (equities) stocks and shares that carry no fixed interest: trading in equities is governed by market rules

• 3the value of a mortgaged property after deduction of charges against it: people who have built up a significant amount of equity in their homes

• 4 (Equity) (in the UK, US, and several other countries) a trade union to which all professional actors must belong: [as modifier]:an Equity card