balance

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

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Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Synonyms 1.3.2 Antonyms 1.3.3 Derived terms 1.3.4 Translations 1.4 Verb 1.4.1 Derived terms 1.4.2 Translations 2 French 2.1 Etymology 2.2 Pronunciation 2.3 Noun 2.4 Verb 2.5 Related terms 2.6 Anagrams 3 Spanish 3.1 Noun

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Middle French balance, from Late Latin *bilancia, from (accusative form of) Latin bilanx (“‘two-scaled’”), from bi- + lanx (“‘plate, scale’”).

[edit] Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ˈbaləns/
• (US) IPA: /ˈbæləns/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] Noun

balance (countable and uncountable; plural balances)

1. A pair of scales.
2. (obsolete, astrology) Libra.
3. (watchmaking) A device used to regulate the speed of a watch, clock etc.
4. A weight placed on a scale to provide equilibrium; something of equal importance or value.

   Blair thought he could provide a useful balance to Bush's policies.

5. (uncountable) Equilibrium; a state in which opposing forces cancel each other out.
6. (uncountable) Mental equilibrium; calmness, a state of remaining clear-headed and unperturbed.
7. (uncountable) Support for both viewpoints, substances etc or neither; neutrality.
8. Apparent harmony in arts, design etc. between differing colours, sounds, etc.
9. 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.

10. (accounting) A list accounting for the debits on one side, and for the credits on the other.
11. 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.

[edit] Synonyms

• (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

[edit] Antonyms

• (equilibrium): non-equilibrium, imbalance, unbalance
• (support for both viewpoints): bias, favor/favour, partiality, partisanship, prejudice, unfairness

[edit] Derived terms

[edit] Translations

[edit] Verb

to balance (third-person singular simple present balances, present participle balancing, simple past and past participle balanced)

1. (transitive) to make (items) weigh up.
2. (transitive) (figurative) to make (concepts) agree.
3. (transitive) to hold (an object or objects) precariously.
4. (transitive) to make the credits and debits of (an account) correspond.
5. (intransitive) to be in equilibrium.
6. (intransitive) to have matching credits and debits.

[edit] Derived terms

• balanced
• balance out
• balance the books

[edit] Translations

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[edit] French

[edit] Etymology

From Late Latin *bilancia, from Latin bilanx, from bi- (see Latin bis) and lanx.

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /balɑ̃s/
•  audio^{help, file}

[edit] Noun

balance f. (plural balances)

1. scales
2. (chemistry, physics) balance
3. (economics, electricity, politics) balance
4. (fishing) drop-net
5. (slang) informant, snitch

[edit] Verb

balance

1. first- and third-person indicative and subjunctive present tense of balancer

[edit] Related terms

• balancer
• balançoire

[edit] Anagrams

• Alphagram: aabceln
• bancale

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[edit] Spanish

[edit] Noun

balance m. (plural balances)

1. (accounting) balance