balance

balance: balance or Balance [bal′əns]

n.

[ME & OFr, prob. via ML < VL * bilancia < LL bilanx, having two scales < L bis, twice + lanx, a dish, scale < IE * elek-, extended stem of base * el-, to bend > ELBOW]

1. an instrument for weighing, esp. one that opposes equal weights, as in two matched shallow pans hanging from either end of a lever supported exactly in the middle; scales

2. the imaginary scales of fortune or fate, as an emblem of justice or the power to decide

3. the power or ability to decide

4. a state of equilibrium or equipoise; equality in amount, weight, value, or importance, as between two things or the parts of a thing

5. bodily equilibrium or stability [he kept his balance on the tightrope]

6. mental or emotional stability

7.

a) the pleasing harmony of various elements in a design, painting, musical composition, etc.; harmonious proportion

b) a setting of clauses, phrases, ideas, etc. in parallel constructions for rhetorical effect

8. a weight, force, effect, etc. that counteracts another or causes equilibrium; counterpoise

9. the point along an object's length at which there is equilibrium: in full balance point

10.

a) equality of debits and credits in an account

b) the excess of credits over debits or of debits over credits

11. the amount still owed after a partial settlement

☆ 12. whatever is left over; remainder

13. the act of balancing

14. BALANCE WHEEL

vt.

balanced, balancing

1. to weigh in or as in a balance

2. to compare as to relative importance, value, etc.

3. to counterpoise or counteract; make up for; offset

4. to bring into or keep in a state of equilibrium or equipoise; keep steady; poise [to balance oneself on stilts]

5. to bring into proportion, harmony, etc.

6. to make or be proportionate to; make or be equal to in weight, force, effect, etc.

7.

a) to find any difference that may exist between the debit and credit sides of (an account); also, to equalize the debit and credit sides of (an account)

b) to settle (an account) by paying debts

8. Dancing to move toward and then back from (a partner)

vi.

1. to be in equilibrium

2. to be equal in value, weight, etc.

3. to have the credit and debit sides equal to each other

4. to waver slightly; tilt and return to equilibrium

5. Dancing to balance partners

SYN.- REMAINDER, SYMMETRY

——————

in the balance

in a critical, undecided state

——————

on balance

considering everything; all in all

——————

the Balance

Libra, the constellation and seventh sign of the zodiac

balanceable

adj.

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Synonyms:

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Balance — (de) … Kölsch Dialekt Lexikon
Balance — Bal ance (b[a^]l ans), n. [OE. balaunce, F. balance, fr. L. bilanx, bilancis, having two scales; bis twice (akin to E. two) + lanx plate, scale.] 1. An apparatus for weighing. [1913 Webster] Note: In its simplest form, a balance consists of a… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
balance — BALANCE. s. f. Instrument dont on se sert pour peser, composé de deux bassins de même poids, suspendus à un fléau. Balance juste. Fausse balance. Les bassins, les plats d une balance. La languette d une balance. Le fléau d une balance. Tenir la… … Dictionnaire de l'Académie Française 1798
balance — BALANCE. subst. f. Instrument à deux bassins servant à peser. Balance juste. fausse balance. les bassins de la balance. la languette de la balance. le fleau de la balance. tenir la balance juste. faire pencher la balance. On dit que, Le poids… … Dictionnaire de l'Académie française
Balance — Bal ance (b[a^]l ans), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Balanced} (b[a^]l anst); p. pr. & vb. n. {Balancing} (b[a^]l an*s[i^]ng).] [From {Balance}, n.: cf. F. balancer.] 1. To bring to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights; to… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
balance — 1. The noun is about four centuries older than the verb, and has derived several figurative uses from its primary meaning of ‘an apparatus for weighing’, as for example in accounting (where the notion of balancing the books is ever present) and… … Modern English usage
balance — ► NOUN 1) an even distribution of weight ensuring stability. 2) mental or emotional stability. 3) a condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions. 4) an apparatus for weighing, especially one with a beam and… … English terms dictionary
Balance — bezeichnet: Gleichgewicht (Physik), ein Gleichgewicht von entgegenwirkenden Kräften oder Aspekten oder einen Zustand der Ausgewogenheit Ausgeglichenheit Eigenschaften einer Datenstruktur; siehe Balancierter Baum Balance (Magazin), ein von der… … Deutsch Wikipedia
Balance — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Balance puede referirse a: Balance (contabilidad), informe financiero que refleja la situación del patrimonio de una entidad en un momento determinado. Balance hídrico, el equilibrio entre todos los recursos hídricos … Wikipedia Español
balance — n 1 Balance, equilibrium, equipoise, poise, tension are comparable when denoting the stability or efficiency resulting from the equalization or exact adjustment of opposing forces. Balance suggests a steadiness that results when all parts are… … New Dictionary of Synonyms

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