balance (ˈbæləns
)
Definitions
noun
- a weighing device, generally consisting of a horizontal beam pivoted at its centre, from the ends of which two pans are suspended. The substance to be weighed is placed in one pan and known weights are placed in the other until the beam returns to the horizontal See also microbalance
- an imagined device for assessing events, actions, motives, etc, in relation to each other (esp in the phrases weigh in the balance, hang in the balance)
- a state of equilibrium
- something that brings about such a state
- equilibrium of the body; steadiness ⇒
to lose one's balance
- emotional stability; calmness of mind
- harmony in the parts of a whole ⇒
balance in an artistic composition
- the act of weighing factors, quantities, etc, against each other
- the power to influence or control ⇒
he held the balance of power
- something that remains or is left ⇒
let me have the balance of what you owe me
- accounting
- equality of debit and credit totals in an account
- a difference between such totals
- chemistry the state of a chemical equation in which the number, kind, electrical charges, etc, of the atoms on opposite sides are equal
- a balancing movement
- short for spring balance
- See in the balance
- See on balance
- See strike a balance
verb
- (tr) to weigh in or as if in a balance
- (intr) to be or come into equilibrium
- (tr) to bring into or hold in equilibrium
- (tr) to assess or compare the relative weight, importance, etc, of
- (tr) to act so as to equalize; be equal to
- (tr) to compose or arrange so as to create a state of harmony
- (tr) to bring (a chemical or mathematical equation) into balance
- (tr) accounting
- to compute the credit and debit totals of (an account) in order to determine the difference
- to equalize the credit and debit totals of (an account) by making certain entries
- to settle or adjust (an account) by paying any money due
- (intr) (of a business account, balance sheet, etc) to have the debit and credit totals equal
- to match or counter (one's dancing partner or his or her steps) by moving towards and away from him or her
Alternative Forms
ˈbalanceable adjectiveWord Origin
C13: from Old French, from Vulgar Latin bilancia (unattested), from Late Latin bilanx having two scalepans, from bi-C13: from Old French, from Vulgar Latin (unattested), from Late Latin having two scalepans, from 1 + scale + lanx scaleSynonyms
View thesaurus entry=
offset,
match,
square,
make up for,
compensate for,
counteract,
neutralize,
counterbalance,
even up,
equalize,
counterpoise,
=
calculate,
rate,
judge,
total,
determine,
estimate,
settle,
count,
square,
reckon,
work out,
compute,
gauge,
tally,
=
scales,
=
composure,
stability,
restraint,
self-control,
poise,
self-discipline,
coolness,
calmness,
equanimity,
self-restraint,
steadiness,
self-possession,
self-mastery strength of mind or will
Translations
- British English:
balance
Balance is the steadiness that someone or something has when they are balanced on something.He lost his balance as his foot slipped on the ice.ˈbæləns NOUN He lost his balance as his foot slipped on the ice.
- Spanish:
equilibrio
nm
- French:
équilibre
nm
- German:
Gleichgewicht
nf
- Chinese: 平衡 n
- Arabic: تَوَازُن n
- Portuguese: equilíbrio nm
- Russian: весы npl
- Croatian: ravnoteža nf
- Czech: rovnováha nf
- Danish: balance nnt
- Dutch: evenwicht nnt
- Finnish: tasapaino n
- Greek: ισορροπία nf
- Italian: equilibrio nm
- Japanese: バランス n
- Korean: 균형 n
- Norwegian: stabilitet nm
- Polish: równowaga nf
- Brazilian Portuguese: equilíbrio nm
- European Spanish:
equilibrio
nm
- Swedish: saldo saldot
- Thai: ความสมดุล n
- Turkish: denge n
- Vietnamese: sự cân bằng n
Usage examples
He tried to take his boots off standing, but lost his balance.
, THE GOLDEN FOOL: Book Two of the Tawny Man (2002)Frankly, in my view the whole future of professional road racing hangs in the balance at the moment.
Cycling Weekly (2004)There have been too many sectarian trade-offs, with a lack of balance in making the agreement work for everyone.
Irish Times (2002)Not yet would my sister's fingers be rifling through my bank balance.
Glasgow Herald (2001)Ideally they should be all the same length, giving a balance in all areas.
, THORSONS WAY OF - PALMISTRY (2002)