balance

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[edit] English

A balance (scale).
A rock balanced on one corner.

[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

Singular
balance

Plural
countable and uncountable; plural balances

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

[edit] Antonyms

[edit] Derived terms

[edit] Translations

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.

[edit] Verb

In equilibrium

Infinitive
to balance

Third person singular
balances

Simple past
balanced

Past participle
balanced

Present participle
balancing

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

[edit] Translations

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.

[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)

  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

[edit] Anagrams



[edit] Spanish

[edit] Noun

balance m. (plural balances)

Singular
balance m.

Plural
balances m.

  1. (accounting) balance