balance
- balance
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I. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *bilancia, from Late Latin bilanc-, bilanx having two scalepans, from Latin bi- + lanc-, lanx plate
Date: 13th century
1. an instrument for weighing: as
a. a beam that is supported freely in the center and has two pans of equal weight suspended from its ends
b. a device that uses the elasticity of a spiral spring for measuring weight or force
2. a means of judging or deciding
3. a counterbalancing weight, force, or influence
4. an oscillating wheel operating with a hairspring to regulate the movement of a timepiece
5.
a. stability produced by even distribution of weight on each side of the vertical axis
b. equipoise between contrasting, opposing, or interacting elements
c. equality between the totals of the two sides of an account
6.
a. an aesthetically pleasing integration of elements
b. the juxtaposition in writing of syntactically parallel constructions containing similar or contrasting ideas
7.
a. physical equilibrium
b. the ability to retain one's balance
8.
a. weight or force of one side in excess of another
b. something left over ; remainder
c. an amount in excess especially on the credit side of an account
9. mental and emotional steadiness
• balanced adjective
II. verb
(balanced; balancing)
Date: 1588
transitive verb
1.
a.
(1) to compute the difference between the debits and credits of (an account)
(2) to pay the amount due on ; settle
b.
(1) to arrange so that one set of elements exactly equals another <
balance a mathematical equation
>
(2) to complete (a chemical equation) so that the same number of atoms and electric charges of each kind appears on each side
2.
a. counterbalance, offset
b. to equal or equalize in weight, number, or proportion
3. to weigh in or as if in a balance
4.
a. to bring to a state or position of equipoise
b. to poise in or as if in balance
c. to bring into harmony or proportion
intransitive verb
1. to become balanced or established in balance
2. to be an equal counterpoise
3. waver 1 <balances and temporizes on matters that demand action
>
New Collegiate Dictionary.
2001.
:
Look at other dictionaries:
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
