[UN-1 7, 12; cf. next.]
1. pl. Persons who are not on an equality with each other in respect of rank or social standing.
1600. W. Watson, Decacordon (1602), 51. It is an act of great humility … neither to striue for the last or first word, or place taking amongst not much vnequals.
1667. Milton, P. L., VIII. 383. Among unequals what societie Can sort, what harmonie or true delight?
1768. Woman of Honor, II. 56. Such is generally the end of that society among unequals.
1875. Poste, Gaius, I. (ed. 2), 40. The law of Persons considers men as unequals.
2. pl. Things that are not equal to each other in kind, magnitude, etc.
1611. W. Sclater, Key (1629), 149. An Antithesis of things diuers:… secondly, a comparison of vnequals.
a. 1653. Gouge, Comm. Heb. iii. 2. Unequals may be compared in quality and likeness, though not in equality.
1719. Whiston, Elem. Euclid, 6. If to Unequals you add Equals, the Wholes will be unequal.
1789. T. Taylor, Proclus, II. 17. Let a be equal to b, and add to each the unequals c, d.
