disequilibrium
UK[ˌdɪs.iː.kwɪˈlɪb.ri.əm]US[ˌdɪs.iː.kwɪˈlɪb.ri.əm]
n
a loss or lack of stability or balance, especially in an economic or social system.
n
a state of physical imbalance, as in the functioning of an organism.
Morpheme Breakdown
dis
equilibrium
dis
negation
equilibrium
balance
Etymology
the word disequilibrium is a modern latin formation, entering english in the early 19th century. it is constructed by adding the latin negative prefix 'dis-' to the noun 'equilibrium'. 'equilibrium' itself derives from the latin 'aequilibrium', a compound of 'aequus' (equal, level) and 'libra' (balance, scale). thus, the literal meaning "not in equal balance" directly and logically maps to its modern abstract senses, describing any state where opposing forces are not in a stable or balanced condition, whether in economics, biology, or physics.
Analysis
Structure: dis (negation) + equilibrium (balance)
dis- (latin origin, a prefix expressing negation, reversal, or removal); equilibrium (latin origin, from 'aequilibrium', meaning 'equal balance', functioning as the core noun).
Examples
the sudden policy change created a period of economic disequilibrium.
the infection caused a disequilibrium in her inner ear, leading to vertigo.
the theory describes how markets adjust to correct a disequilibrium.