inequitably
UK[ɪnˈɛkwɪtəbli]US[ɪnˈɛkwɪtəbli]
adv
in an unfair or unjust manner
Morpheme Breakdown
in
equit
ably
in
not
equit
fair
ably
in a manner of
Etymology
the adverb 'inequitably' is built upon the adjective 'inequitable', which itself originates from the latin root aequus, meaning 'equal' or 'fair'. the prefix in- negates this sense, creating the meaning 'not fair'. the suffix -able forms an adjective meaning 'capable of being', and the final -ly converts it into an adverb. thus, the word's literal morphemic logic, 'in a manner that is not capable of being fair', directly conveys its modern abstract meaning of acting unjustly.
Analysis
Structure: in (not) + equit (fair) + ably (in a manner of)
in- (latin origin, a prefix meaning 'not'); equit- (from latin aequus, meaning 'equal, level, fair'); -ably (from latin -abilis, an adverbial suffix meaning 'in a manner that can be')
Examples
the resources were distributed inequitably, favoring the urban centers over rural areas.
he argued that the tax system treated middle-class workers inequitably.
the judge was accused of applying the law inequitably based on personal bias.