balance
- balance
- n. & v.
—n.
1 an apparatus for weighing, esp. one with a central pivot, beam, and two scales.
2 a a counteracting weight or force. b (in full balance-wheel) the regulating device in a clock etc.
3 a an even distribution of weight or amount. b stability of body or mind (regained his balance).
4 a preponderating weight or amount (the balance of opinion).
5 a an agreement between or the difference between credits and debits in an account. b the difference between an amount due and an amount paid (will pay the balance next week). c an amount left over; the rest.
6 a Art harmony of design and proportion. b Mus. the relative volume of various sources of sound (bad balance between violins and trumpets).
7 (the Balance) the zodiacal sign or constellation Libra.
—v.
1 tr. (foll. by with, against) offset or compare (one thing) with another (must balance the advantages with the disadvantages).
2 tr. counteract, equal, or neutralize the weight or importance of.
3 a tr. bring into or keep in equilibrium (balanced a book on her head). b intr. be in equilibrium (balanced on one leg).
4 tr. (usu. as balanced adj.) establish equal or appropriate proportions of elements in (a balanced diet; balanced opinion).
5 tr. weigh (arguments etc.) against each other.
6 a tr. compare and esp. equalize debits and credits of (an account). b intr. (of an account) have credits and debits equal.
Phrases and idioms:
balance of payments the difference in value between payments into and out of a country. balance of power
1 a situation in which the chief 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 imports and exports. balance sheet a statement giving the balance of an account. in the balance uncertain; at a critical stage. on balance all things considered. strike a balance choose a moderate course or compromise.
Derivatives:
balanceable adj. balancer n.
Etymology: ME f. OF, ult. f. LL (libra) bilanx bilancis two-scaled (balance)
Useful english dictionary.
2012.
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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
