Equity

The ownership interest of shareholders in a corporation.  The difference between the market value of a property and the claims held against it

Source: http://www.financialterms.ca/equity.htm

Equity refers to the ownership, or a percentage of ownership, of a company or items of value acquired through investing funds in it by, for example, buying shares.

Source: The Social Investment Bank, The Commission on Unclaimed Assests, UK: March 2007

Equity
Ownership.

Source: http://www.kld.com/resources/glossary.html

Equity Like Capital
Equity like capital is a financial instrument which has characteristics of both debt and equity. Like traditional equity, equity-like holders share in risk and return and are re-numerated through interest payments which rise as the revenue of the target venture grows. In the event of liquidation, equity-like capital is structured as subordinate debt (debt which ranks after other debts should a company fall into receivership or be closed). Generally the time frame of equity-like capital is fairly long term (5-7 + years) and investors may take an active or advisory role in the management of the venture. This is a young form of capital and the exact terms vary from deal to deal. However, when deployed in the social investments sector, equity like capital usually delivers a sub-market financial rate of return combined with social return.

Source: http://www.clearlyso.com/glossary.jsf