aequĭtas — Lewis & Short
aequĭtas, ātis, f.aequus,
I the quality of being aequus (syn.: aequalitas, jus, justitia, fas).
I The uniform relation of one thing to others, equality, conformity, symmetry; portionum aequitate turbatā, Sen. Q. N. 3, 10: commoditas et aequitas (proportion, symmetry) membrorum, Suet. Aug. 79.—
II Trop.
A Just or equitable conduct toward others, justice, equity, fairness, e)piei/keia (governed by benevolence, while justitia yields to another only what is strictly due):
pro aequitate contra jus dicere,Cic. de Or. 1, 56, 240:
belli aequitas sanctissime fetiali jure perscripta est,id. Off. 1, 11, 36:
a verbis recedere et aequitate uti,id. Caecin. 13; Nep. Arist. 2, 2 Br.; cf. id. Milt. 2, Suet. Claud. 15. But it is sometimes used for justitia:
summa bonitas et aequitas causae,Cic. Att. 16, 16:
quam habet aequitatem, ut agrum qui nullum habuit, habeat?id. Off. 2, 22 fin.—Eccl., righteousness,
(a) of men, Vulg. Deut. 9, 5; ib. Mal. 2, 6.—
(b) Of God, Vulg. Psa. 9, 9; ib. Act. 17, 31.—
B A quiet, tranquil state of mind, evenness of temper, moderation, calmness, tranquillity, repose, equanimity; often with animus:
quis hanc animi maximi aequitatem in ipsā morte laudaret, si? etc.,Cic. Tusc. 1, 40, 97:
novi moderationem animi tui et aequitatem,id. de Sen. 1; so id. Agr. 1, 5:
ut animi aequitate plebem contineant,Caes. B. G 6, 22; so Nep. Thras. 4:
ubi pax evenerat aequitate,Sall. C. 9, 3.