iniquity

Etymology

From Middle English iniquite, jniquite (“evil, wickedness, iniquity; evil act; hostility, malevolence; hostile act; a calamity, misfortune”), from Old French iniquité (modern French iniquité (“iniquity”)), from Latin inīquitās (“iniquity; inequality, unfairness; inequity, injustice”), from inīquus (“unequal, uneven, unfair; disadvantageous, unfavourable; hostile, unkind; unsuitable; wicked, wrong”) + -itās (variant of -tās (suffix forming a noun indicating a state of being)). Inīquus is derived from in- (prefix meaning ‘not’) + aequus (“equal; fair, impartial, just”). Compare inequity.

noun

1. (uncountable) Deviation from what is right; gross injustice, sin, wickedness.
   And bycauſe our auncient enemye the Deuyl, who is the well and, ſpryng of iniquitie, and is not onely hymſelfe an homycide, a lyer, and and hater of the truth frõ the beginnyng: … Therefore like as we deſyre here to be delyuered from ſynne, ſo also we deſyre, that our heauenly father will ſaue vs, and defende vs from this euil the cauſer of ſynne, that is to ſaye, the Deuyll: … 25 September 1555, Edmonde Byshop of London [i.e., Edmund Bonner], “Thexposition or Declaration of the vii. and Last Peticion of the Pater Noster, which is: But Delyuer Vs from Euill. Amen.”, in A Profitable and Necessarye Doctryne, with Certayne Homelies Adioyned thervnto[…], London: In ædibvs Iohannis Cawodi,[…], →OCLC
   It will be found, when the Myſterie of iniquitie ſhall be unriddled, that, as they were their ſpawn the Anabaptiſts, the obſtructers of our Doctrinal Reformation, ſo, they are by their Miſſionaries ſent unto Corners and Hillie Countreys the obſtructers of our practical. 1702, [John Wilson], An Essay wherein National Love and Unity is Recommended, Its Opposits Exposed, Arguments for It Propounded, and Its Standard Expounded, and All Contenders Blamed.[…], Edinburgh: Printed by the heirs and successors of Andrew Anderson,[…], →OCLC, page 22
   In the scanty number of reclaimed convicts, the noted George Barrington holds a conspicuous place. … His death took place nearly seven years ago: but for a considerable time previously he was in a state of insanity, produced, it is believed, by serious and sorrowful reflections on his early career of iniquity. … [H]is death was that of a sincere Christian. 1812 May, “Art. I. The Present Picture of New South Wales; […] By D. D. Mann, […] Booth. 1811. [book review]”, in The Monthly Review; or, Literary Journal, Enlarged, volume LXVIII, London: Sold by Becket and Porter,[…], →OCLC, pages 3–4
   It is one of the most surprising things that I have ever observed, That sanctity should be ashamed to look out, but iniquity show itself at noon. … Hence the company of rakes over their bottle, are not shy to open to another the mystery of iniquity in their most abandoned actions, and to glory in their shame. 1811, James Meikle, “Meditation XXXII. Grace in the Blush, Sin not Ashamed.”, in Solitude Sweetened; or, Miscellaneous Meditations, on Various Religious Subjects, Written in Distant Parts of the World, 3rd American edition, New York, N.Y.: Printed for S[tephen] Dodge, by Geo[rge] Forman, →OCLC, page 90
   But ever since the concept of "hamartia" recurred through Aristotle's Poetics, in an attempt to describe man's ingrained iniquity, our impulse has been to identify a telling defect in those brought suddenly and dramatically low. 21 October 2014, Oliver Brown, “Oscar Pistorius jailed for five years – sport afforded no protection against his tragic fallibilities: Bladerunner’s punishment for killing Reeva Steenkamp is but a frippery when set against the burden that her bereft parents, June and Barry, must carry [print version: No room for sentimentality in this tragedy, 13 September 2014, page S22]”, in Jason Seiken, editor, The Daily Telegraph (Sport), London: Telegraph Media Group, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2019-10-09
2. (countable) An act of great injustice or unfairness; a sinful or wicked act; an unconscionable deed.
   O regard not this, 'tis an iniquity to be taken heed of, in a dark day, in a day of trouble, ſuch as was upon Job; as black a day was upon him, as ever upon any in the world, as to his perſonal condition. 1664, Joseph Caryl, “Job, Chap. 36, Vers. 21”, in An Exposition with Practical Observations Continued upon the Thirty-fifth, Thirty-sixth, and Thirty-seventh Chapters of the Book of Job: Being the Substance of Thirty-five Lectures, London: Printed by M[ary] Simmons,[…], →OCLC, page 320
   As for moral Actions, a good Beginning is a great Sign of a good End; but it cannot juſtify a bad one, upon any Attempt: For there's many a holy Cheat in the World; and many an Iniquity, countenanc'd with Religion and Self-Preſervation, which is carry'd on under that Mask, to Rebellion and Murder. 1713, Oswald Dykes, “Prov[erb] I. Well Begun, is Half Done.”, in English Proverbs, with Moral Reflexions; [in Imitation of Sir Roger L’Estrange’s Æsop.]: Familiarly Accommodated to the Humour and Manners of the Present Age.[…], 3rd edition, London: Printed for G[eorge] Sawbridge, and sold by Jonas Browne[…], →OCLC, page 2
   The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. 21 May 1994, Quentin Tarantino, Pulp Fiction, spoken by Jules Winnfield (Samuel L[eroy] Jackson)