aequum

Aequum is a Latin neuter noun derived from the adjective aequus, meaning level or even. In classical and later Latin, aequum denotes the idea of the proper measure, fairness, and due proportion in a given situation. It is less about abstract equality and more about what is fitting or right under the circumstances.

Etymology and scope: The root aequ- expresses evenness or balance, and the suffix -um turns the idea into a substantive concept. In Latin usage, aequum covers ethical, legal, and practical senses—what should be done, what is fair, and what amounts to a just outcome. The common phrase aequum est, often rendered as “it is right/fitting,” signals a normative judgment of propriety.

Usage and domains: In law and politics, aequum describes fair remedy or equitable treatment, aligning with a sense of justice that considers proportion and circumstance. In ethics and rhetoric, it marks moderation and proper measure, guiding judgments about appropriate action rather than strict equality of outcomes. Although related to the abstract noun aequitas (equity), aequum emphasizes the immediacy of a suitable measure in a given context.

Relation to related terms: Aequum is part of a family including aequus (the adjective), aequitas (equity, fairness), and aequatio (proportion or balancing). In medieval and scholastic Latin, aequum remains a common way to express that a conclusion or remedy is fitting, while aequitas often takes on a more formal sense of equity in law and ethics.

Modern relevance: Today, aequum is primarily encountered in linguistic or historical studies of Latin ethics, jurisprudence, and philosophy. It illustrates how ancient conceptions of fairness stress appropriateness and balance rather than simple equality.