Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Not the same in any measurable aspect, such as extent or quantity.
  • adjective Not the same as another in rank or social position.
  • adjective Consisting of ill-matched opponents.
  • adjective Having unbalanced sides or parts; asymmetric.
  • adjective Not even or consistent; variable.
  • adjective Not having the required abilities; inadequate.
  • adjective Not fair.
  • noun One that is not the equal of another.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Not equal; not of the same size, length, breadth, quantity, quality, strength, talents, age, station, etc.
  • Inadequate; insufficient; inferior: as, his strength was unequal to the task.
  • Not balanced or matched; disproportioned; one-sided; hence, inequitable; unfair; unjust; partial.
  • Not equable; not uniform; irregular: as, unequal pulsations.
  • Not having the two sides or the parts symmetrical: thus, an unequal leaf is one in which the parenchyma is not developed symmetrically on each side of the midrib or stalk. Also called oblique.
  • In entomology, composed of parts or joints of different forms: as, unequal palpi or antennæ.
  • noun One not equal to another in station, power, ability, age, or the like.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Not equal; not matched; not of the same size, length, breadth, quantity, strength, talents, acquirements, age, station, or the like.
  • adjective Ill balanced or matched; disproportioned; hence, not equitable; partial; unjust; unfair.
  • adjective Not uniform; not equable; irregular; uneven.
  • adjective Not adequate or sufficient; inferior.
  • adjective (Bot.) Not having the two sides or the parts symmetrical.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Not the same.
  • adjective Out of balance.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective poorly balanced or matched in quantity or value or measure
  • adjective lacking the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

un- +‎ equal

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