> Equity > Eq"ui*ty (?), n.; pl. equities (#). [F. équité, L. aequitas, fr. aequus even, equal. See Equal.] > 1. Equality of rights; natural justice or right;

> Equity > Eq"ui*ty (?), n.; pl. equities (#). [F. équité, L. aequitas, fr. aequus even, equal. See Equal.] > 1. Equality of rights; natural justice or right; the giving, or desiring to give, to each man his due, according to reason, and the law of God to man; fairness in determination of conflicting claims; impartiality. > [....] > Syn. -- Right; justice; impartiality; rectitude; fairness; honesty; uprightness. See Justice. That's Webster's 1913, so it's not a new usage. And it's what was chosen for definition #1 (the others are, as you note, lawyer jargon).