epieikeia

noun

ep·​i·​ei·​keia

ˌepēˌīˈkīə

variants or epikeia

ˌepəˈkīə

plural -s

: interpretation of a law of the Roman Catholic Church that presumes it not applicable in a case of hardship felt to violate natural law (as when a mother presumes she may miss mass rather than leave her baby alone) : equity

the epieikeia of the church

Word History

Etymology

Greek epieikeia reasonableness, equity, from epieikēs suitable, reasonable + -ia -y

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