Post History

How did 'equity' semantically shift to mean 'Assets — Liabilities'?

I ask about [Equity = Assets — Liabilities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accounting_equation) here, not its meaning as stock. See [*Personal Finance For Canadians For Dummies*](https://www.amazon.ca/Personal-Finance-Canadians-Dummies-Tyson/dp/111952279X/ref=dp_ob_title_bk) (2018), p 468.

>**equity**: 
In the real-estate world, this term refers to the difference between the market value of your home and what you owe on it. For example, if your home is worth $400,000, and you have an outstanding mortgage of $150,000, your equity is $250,000. *Equity* is also a synonym for *stock*. 


[Etymonline](https://www.etymonline.com/word/equity)
    
>early 14c., "quality of being equal or fair, impartiality in dealing with others," from Old French *equite* (13c.),    
 from Latin *aequitatem* (nominative *aequitas*) **"equality, uniformity, conformity, symmetry; fairness, equal rights**; kindness, moderation,"    
 from *aequus* "even, just, equal" (see [equal](https://www.etymonline.com/word/equal?ref=etymonline_crossreference) (adj.)).     
As the name of a system of law, 1590s, from Roman *naturalis aequitas*, the general principles of justice which corrected or supplemented the legal codes.

1. Why was 'equity' was adopted to signify Assets — Liabilities?  

2. What semantic notions underlie the emboldened abstract nouns overhead, with 'Assets — Liabilities'? I don't understand how " "equality, uniformity, conformity, symmetry; fairness, equal rights; kindness, moderation" appertains to 'Assets — Liabilities'. Please see the titled question.