balance

balance: noun

1》 an even distribution of weight ensuring stability.

    ↘Sailing the ability of a boat to stay on course without adjustment of the rudder.

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 central pivot, beam, and two scales.

5》 a counteracting weight or force.

    ↘(also balance wheel) the regulating device in a clock or watch.

6》 a predominating amount; a preponderance: the balance of opinion was that work was important.

7》 a figure representing the amount of money held in an account: his bank balance.

    ↘the difference between an amount due and an amount paid.

verb

1》 be or put in a steady position.

2》 offset or compare the value of (one thing) with another.

    ↘[often as adjective balanced] establish equal or appropriate proportions of elements in: a balanced diet.

3》 compare debits and credits in (an account) to ensure that they are equal.

Phrases

balance of payments the difference in total value between payments into and out of a country over a period.

balance of power

1》 a situation in which states of the world have roughly equal power.

2》 the power held by a small group when larger groups are of equal strength.

balance of trade the difference in value between a country's imports and exports.

be (or hang) in the balance be in an uncertain or critical state.

on balance when all factors are taken into consideration.

throw (or catch) someone off balance make someone unsteady or catch someone unawares.

Derivatives

balancer noun

Origin

ME: from OFr. balance (n.), balancer (v.), based on late L. (libra) bilanx '(balance) having two scale-pans'.

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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
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 … English World dictionary

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balance

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