7:1 Disparities

When and where did I find this word: I heard this word used this evening (Sunday, October 16th, 2011) when I had a heart to heart discussion with a person I know. The term was used in the sentence: "We are just at disparities I guess." I vaguely understood what was being because of the context it was used in, but I sat puzzled a moment because I actually didn't understand the true definition of the term itself. This made my overall comprehension of the context slightly fuzzy. I didn't like the way it felt.

What this word means: Disparities, the way I understood it, was the term used to describe things that work against two people trying to accomplish something. Dictionary.com describes the term as: lack of similarity or equality; inequality; difference. The two definitions are close and probably considered reasonable within the context it was understood in.

Level of familiarity: I am familiar with this term, since I have heard the word used in several instances, both inside and outside of school; hence this evening in conversation. I somewhat had a definition for the term as it was used in a sentence in which I was quite familiar with the context. This probably helped me to understand the term more clearly.

Is this a word I want to know well?: After thinking a moment on the importance and relevance of this term, I would think that this is most definitely a word I should know well. The term can be applied to my everyday life since no two people are alike (ie. myself and others) so there will always be disparities that need to be faced. As far as educationally, absolutely. I think this term is important because teachers face student disparities all day, every day.

Is this a word I want others to know well? I believe that no matter who you are, are what degree your studying, or what career your in, the term disparities is certainly an issue that everyone works through at one point or another in each day of their life. There's no doubt in my mind that this term is a valuable term to know, regardless of status.