balance
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
See also Balance
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[edit] English
[edit] Alternative forms
[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
[edit] Noun
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.
- (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.
- (obsolete, astrology) Libra
[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
terms derived from balance (noun)
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[edit] Translations
scales
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equilibrium
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support for both viewpoints
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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
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[edit] Verb
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.
[edit] Derived terms
[edit] Translations
make (items) weigh up
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make (concepts) agree
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hold (objects) precariously
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make the credits and debits of (an account) correspond
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be in equilibrium
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have matching credits and debits
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- 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
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[edit] French
[edit] Etymology
From Late Latin *bilancia, from Latin bilanx, from bi- (see Latin bis) and lanx.
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Noun
balance f. (plural balances)
- scales
- (chemistry, physics) balance
- (economics, electricity, politics) balance
- (fishing) drop-net
- (slang) informant, snitch
[edit] Verb
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
[edit] Related terms
[edit] Anagrams
[edit] Spanish
[edit] Noun
balance m. (plural balances)
- (accounting) balance
Categories:
- English terms derived from Middle French
- English terms derived from Late Latin
- English terms derived from Latin
- English nouns
- English uncountable nouns
- en:Accounting
- 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
- French countable nouns
- fr:Chemistry
- fr:Physics
- fr:Economics
- fr:Electricity
- fr:Politics
- fr:Fishing
- French slang
- French verb forms
- Spanish nouns
- es:Accounting