balance
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
See also Balance
Contents |
English[edit]
Alternative forms[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Middle French balance, from Late Latin *bilancia, from (accusative form of) Latin bilanx (“two-scaled”), from bi- + lanx (“plate, scale”).
Pronunciation[edit]
Noun[edit]
balance (countable and uncountable; plural balances)
- (uncountable) a state in which opposing forces harmonise; equilibrium
- (uncountable) mental equilibrium; mental health; calmness, a state of remaining clear-headed and unperturbed
- something of equal weight used to provide equilibrium (literally or figuratively); counterweight
- These weights are used as a balance for the overhanging verandah
- Blair thought he could provide a useful balance to Bush's policies.
- a pair of scales
- (uncountable) awareness of both viewpoints or matters; neutrality; rationality; objectivity
- (uncountable) the overall result of conflicting forces, opinions etc.; the influence which ultimately "weighs" more than others
- The balance of power finally lay with the Royalist forces.
- I think the balance of opinion is that we should get out while we're ahead.
- 2012 April 19, Josh Halliday, “Free speech haven or lawless cesspool – can the internet be civilised?”, the Guardian:
- The shift in the balance of power online has allowed anyone to publish to the world, from dispirited teenagers in south London to an anonymous cyber-dissident in a Middle East autocracy.
- (uncountable) apparent harmony in art (between differing colours, sounds, etc.)
- (accounting) a list accounting for the debits on one side, and for the credits on the other.
- (accounting) the result of such a procedure; the difference between credit and debit of an account.
- I just need to nip to a bank and check my balance.
- (watchmaking) a device used to regulate the speed of a watch, clock etc.
- (law) the remainder.
- The balance of the agreement remains in effect.
- (obsolete, astrology) Libra
Synonyms[edit]
- (scales): pair of scales, scales, weighing machine, weighbridge (for vehicles)
- (equilibrium): equilibrium
- (support for both viewpoints): disinterest, even-handedness, fairness, impartiality, neutrality, non-partisanship
- (list of credits and debits): account
Antonyms[edit]
- (equilibrium): non-equilibrium, imbalance, unbalance
- (support for both viewpoints): bias, favor/favour, partiality, partisanship, prejudice, unfairness
Derived terms[edit]
terms derived from balance (noun)
|
|
Translations[edit]
scales
|
|
equilibrium
|
|
support for both viewpoints
|
list of credits and debits
|
- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.
Translations to be checked
|
Verb[edit]
balance (third-person singular simple present balances, present participle balancing, simple past and past participle balanced)
- (transitive) to make (items) weigh up.
- (transitive) (figurative) to make (concepts) agree.
- (transitive) to hold (an object or objects) precariously.
- (transitive) to make the credits and debits of (an account) correspond.
- (intransitive) to be in equilibrium.
- (intransitive) to have matching credits and debits.
Derived terms[edit]
Translations[edit]
make (items) weigh up
make (concepts) agree
|
hold (objects) precariously
|
|
make the credits and debits of (an account) correspond
|
|
be in equilibrium
|
|
have matching credits and debits
|
- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.
French[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Late Latin *bilancia, from Latin bilanx, from bi- (see Latin bis) and lanx.
Pronunciation[edit]
Noun[edit]
balance f (plural balances)
- scales
- (chemistry, physics) balance
- (economics, electricity, politics) balance
- (fishing) drop-net
- (slang) informant, snitch
Verb[edit]
balance
- first-person singular present indicative of balancer
- third-person singular present indicative of balancer
- first-person singular present subjunctive of balancer
- first-person singular present subjunctive of balancer
- second-person singular imperative of balancer
Related terms[edit]
Anagrams[edit]
Spanish[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Late Latin *bilancia, from Latin bilanx, from bi- (see Latin bis) and lanx.
Noun[edit]
balance m (plural balances)
- (accounting) balance
Portuguese[edit]
Verb[edit]
balance
Categories:
- English terms derived from Middle French
- English terms derived from Late Latin
- English terms derived from Latin
- English nouns
- English countable nouns
- English uncountable nouns
- en:Accounting
- en:Law
- English terms with obsolete senses
- en:Astrology
- English verbs
- 1000 English basic words
- French terms derived from Late Latin
- French terms derived from Latin
- French nouns
- French feminine nouns
- fr:Chemistry
- fr:Physics
- fr:Economics
- fr:Electricity
- fr:Politics
- fr:Fishing
- French slang
- French verb forms
- Spanish terms derived from Late Latin
- Spanish terms derived from Latin
- Spanish nouns
- es:Accounting
- Portuguese verb forms
