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Wordswarms From Years PastAdjacent WordsBalaenoptera rostrataBalaenopteridae balagan Balah balahoo Balak Balakirev Balaklava Balaklava mel'ee balalaika balam BALAMON Balan balance beam Balance dock Balance electrometer Balance fish Balance knife balance of international payments balance of payments balance of power Balance of torsion balance of trade balance out Balance rudder balance sheet Balance thermometer Full-text Search for "Balance" 7975 |
Balance definitions
Webster's 1828 DictionaryBAL'ANCE, n. [L.bilanx, bis, twice, and lanz, a dish, the double dish.] WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)n Merriam Webster's
Britannica ConciseInstrument for comparing the weights of two bodies, usually for scientific purposes, to determine the difference in mass. The equal-arm balance dates back to the ancient Egyptians, possibly as early as 5000 BC. By the early 20th cent., it had been developed into an exquisitely precise measuring device. Electronic balances today depend on electrical compensation rather than mechanical deflection. The ultramicrobalance is any weighing device that serves to determine the weight of even smaller samples than can be weighed with the microbalance (which can weigh samples as small as a few milligrams), that is, total amounts as small as a few micrograms. Oxford Reference Dictionaryn. & v. --n. 1 an apparatus for weighing, esp. one with a central pivot, beam, and two scales. 2 a a counteracting weight or force. b (in full balance-wheel) the regulating device in a clock etc. 3 a an even distribution of weight or amount. b stability of body or mind (regained his balance). 4 a preponderating weight or amount (the balance of opinion). 5 a an agreement between or the difference between credits and debits in an account. b the difference between an amount due and an amount paid (will pay the balance next week). c an amount left over; the rest. 6 a Art harmony of design and proportion. b Mus. the relative volume of various sources of sound (bad balance between violins and trumpets). 7 (the Balance) the zodiacal sign or constellation Libra. --v. 1 tr. (foll. by with, against) offset or compare (one thing) with another (must balance the advantages with the disadvantages). 2 tr. counteract, equal, or neutralize the weight or importance of. 3 a tr. bring into or keep in equilibrium (balanced a book on her head). b intr. be in equilibrium (balanced on one leg). 4 tr. (usu. as balanced adj.) establish equal or appropriate proportions of elements in (a balanced diet; balanced opinion). 5 tr. weigh (arguments etc.) against each other. 6 a tr. compare and esp. equalize debits and credits of (an account). b intr. (of an account) have credits and debits equal. Phrases and idioms: balance of payments the difference in value between payments into and out of a country. balance of power 1 a situation in which the chief States of the world have roughly equal power. 2 the power held by a small group when larger groups are of equal strength. balance of trade the difference in value between imports and exports. balance sheet a statement giving the balance of an account. in the balance uncertain; at a critical stage. on balance all things considered. strike a balance choose a moderate course or compromise. Derivatives: balanceable adj. balancer n. Etymology: ME f. OF, ult. f. LL (libra) bilanx bilancis two-scaled (balance) Webster's 1913 DictionaryTo turn one's coat, to change one's uniform or colors; to go over to the opposite party. To turn one's goods or money, and the like, to exchange in the course of trade; to keep in lively exchange or circulation; to gain or increase in trade. To turn one's hand to, to adapt or apply one's self to; to engage in. To turn out. (a) To drive out; to expel; as, to turn a family out of doors; to turn a man out of office. I'll turn you out of my kingdom. -- Shak. (b) to put to pasture, as cattle or horses. (c) To produce, as the result of labor, or any process of manufacture; to furnish in a completed state. (d) To reverse, as a pocket, bag, etc., so as to bring the inside to the outside; hence, to produce. (e) To cause to cease, or to put out, by turning a stopcock, valve, or the like; as, to turn out the lights. To turn over. (a) To change or reverse the position of; to overset; to overturn; to cause to roll over. (b) To transfer; as, to turn over business to another hand. (c) To read or examine, as a book, while, turning the leaves. ``We turned o'er many books together.'' --Shak. (d) To handle in business; to do business to the amount of; as, he turns over millions a year. [Colloq.] To turn over a new leaf. See under Leaf. To turn tail, to run away; to retreat ignominiously. To turn the back, to flee; to retreat. To turn the back on or upon, to treat with contempt; to reject or refuse unceremoniously. To turn the corner, to pass the critical stage; to get by the worst point; hence, to begin to improve, or to succeed. To turn the die or dice, to change fortune. To turn the edge or point of, to bend over the edge or point of so as to make dull; to blunt. To turn the head or brain of, to make giddy, wild, insane, or the like; to infatuate; to overthrow the reason or judgment of; as, a little success turned his head. To turn the scale or balance, to change the preponderance; to decide or determine something doubtful. To turn the stomach of, to nauseate; to sicken. To turn the tables, to reverse the chances or conditions of success or superiority; to give the advantage to the person or side previously at a disadvantage. To turn tippet, to make a change. [Obs.] --B. Jonson. To turn to profit, advantage, etc., to make profitable or advantageous. To turn up. (a) To turn so as to bring the bottom side on top; as, to turn up the trump. (b) To bring from beneath to the surface, as in plowing, digging, etc. (c) To give an upward curve to; to tilt; as, to turn up the nose. To turn upon, to retort; to throw back; as, to turn the arguments of an opponent upon himself. To turn upside down, to confuse by putting things awry; to throw into disorder. This house is turned upside down since Robin Ostler died. --Shak. Webster's 1913 DictionaryBalance Bal"ance, n. [OE. balaunce, F. balance, fr. L. bilan?, bilancis, having two scales; bis twice (akin to E. two) + lanx plate, scale.] 1. An apparatus for weighing. Note: In its simplest form, a balance consists of a beam or lever supported exactly in the middle, having two scales or basins of equal weight suspended from its extremities. Another form is that of the Roman balance, our steelyard, consisting of a lever or beam, suspended near one of its extremities, on the longer arm of which a counterpoise slides. The name is also given to other forms of apparatus for weighing bodies, as to the combinations of levers making up platform scales; and even to devices for weighing by the elasticity of a spring. 2. Act of weighing mentally; comparison; estimate. A fair balance of the advantages on either side. --Atterbury. 3. Equipoise between the weights in opposite scales. 4. The state of being in equipoise; equilibrium; even adjustment; steadiness. And hung a bottle on each side To make his balance true. --Cowper. The order and balance of the country were destroyed. --Buckle. English workmen completely lose their balance. --J. S. Mill. 5. An equality between the sums total of the two sides of an account; as, to bring one's accounts to a balance; -- also, the excess on either side; as, the balance of an account. `` A balance at the banker's. '' --Thackeray. I still think the balance of probabilities leans towards the account given in the text. --J. Peile. 6. (Horol.) A balance wheel, as of a watch, or clock. See Balance wheel (in the Vocabulary). 7. (Astron.) (a) The constellation Libra. (b) The seventh sign in the Zodiac, called Libra, which the sun enters at the equinox in September. 8. A movement in dancing. See Balance, v. i., S. Balance electrometer, a kind of balance, with a poised beam, which indicates, by weights suspended from one arm, the mutual attraction of oppositely electrified surfaces. --Knight. Balance fish. (Zo["o]l) See Hammerhead. Balance knife, a carving or table knife the handle of which overbalances the blade, and so keeps it from contact with the table. Balance of power. (Politics), such an adjustment of power among sovereign states that no one state is in a position to interfere with the independence of the others; international equilibrium; also, the ability ( of a state or a third party within a state) to control the relations between sovereign states or between dominant parties in a state. Balance sheet (Bookkeeping), a paper showing the balances of the open accounts of a business, the debit and credit balances footing up equally, if the system of accounts be complete and the balances correctly taken. Balance thermometer, a thermometer mounted as a balance so that the movement of the mercurial column changes the indication of the tube. With the aid of electrical or mechanical devices adapted to it, it is used for the automatic regulation of the temperature of rooms warmed artificially, and as a fire alarm. Balance of torsion. See Torsion Balance. Balance of trade (Pol. Econ.), an equilibrium between the money values of the exports and imports of a country; or more commonly, the amount required on one side or the other to make such an equilibrium. Balance valve, a valve whose surfaces are so arranged that the fluid pressure tending to seat, and that tending to unseat the valve, are nearly in equilibrium; esp., a puppet valve which is made to operate easily by the admission of steam to both sides. See Puppet valve. Hydrostatic balance. See under Hydrostatic. To lay in balance, to put up as a pledge or security. [Obs.] --Chaucer. To strike a balance, to find out the difference between the debit and credit sides of an account. Webster's 1913 DictionaryBalance Bal"ance, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Balanced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Balancing (?).] [From Balance, n.: cf. F. balancer. ] 1. To bring to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights; to weigh in a balance. 2. To support on a narrow base, so as to keep from falling; as, to balance a plate on the end of a cane; to balance one's self on a tight rope. 3. To equal in number, weight, force, or proportion; to counterpoise, counterbalance, counteract, or neutralize. One expression . . . must check and balance another. --Kent. 4. To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to estimate. Balance the good and evil of things. --L'Estrange. 5. To settle and adjust, as an account; to make two accounts equal by paying the difference between them. I am very well satisfied that it is not in my power to balance accounts with my Maker. --Addison. 6. To make the sums of the debits and credits of an account equal; -- said of an item; as, this payment, or credit, balances the account. 7. To arrange accounts in such a way that the sum total of the debits is equal to the sum total of the credits; as, to balance a set of books. 8. (Dancing) To move toward, and then back from, reciprocally; as, to balance partners. 9. (Naut.) To contract, as a sail, into a narrower compass; as, to balance the boom mainsail. Balanced valve. See Balance valve, under Balance, n. Syn: To poise; weigh; adjust; counteract; neutralize; equalize. Webster's 1913 DictionaryBalance Bal"ance, v. i. 1. To have equal weight on each side; to be in equipoise; as, the scales balance. 2. To fluctuate between motives which appear of equal force; to waver; to hesitate. He would not balance or err in the determination of his choice. --Locke. 3. (Dancing) To move toward a person or couple, and then back. Webster's 1913 DictionaryBalance wheel Bal"ance wheel` 1. (Horology) (a) A wheel which regulates the beats or pulses of a watch or chronometer, answering to the pendulum of a clock; -- often called simply a balance. (b) A ratchet-shaped scape wheel, which in some watches is acted upon by the axis of the balance wheel proper (in those watches called a balance). 2. (Mach.) A wheel which imparts regularity to the movements of any engine or machine; a fly wheel. Collin's Cobuild Dictionary(balances, balancing, balanced) Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English. 1. If you balance something somewhere, or if it balances there, it remains steady and does not fall. I balanced on the ledge... He balanced a football on his head. VERB: V prep/adv, V n prep/adv 2. Balance is the ability to remain steady when you are standing up. The medicines you are currently taking could be affecting your balance. N-UNCOUNT 3. If you balance one thing with something different, each of the things has the same strength or importance. Balance spicy dishes with mild ones... The state has got to find some way to balance these two needs... Supply and demand on the currency market will generally balance. V-RECIP: V n with n, V pl-n, pl-n V, also V with n • balanced This book is a well balanced biography. ADJ: usu adv ADJ 4. A balance is a situation in which all the different parts are equal in strength or importance. Their marriage is a delicate balance between traditional and contemporary values... ...the ecological balance of the forest. N-SING: with supp, oft N between pl-n 5. If you say that the balance tips in your favour, you start winning or succeeding, especially in a conflict or contest. ...a powerful new gun which could tip the balance of the war in their favour... N-SING: the N 6. If you balance one thing against another, you consider its importance in relation to the other one. She carefully tried to balance religious sensitivities against democratic freedom. VERB: V n against n 7. If someone balances their budget or if a government balances the economy of a country, they make sure that the amount of money that is spent is not greater than the amount that is received. He balanced his budgets by rigid control over public expenditure. VERB: V n 8. If you balance your books or make them balance, you prove by calculation that the amount of money you have received is equal to the amount that you have spent. ...teaching them to balance the books... To make the books balance, spending must fall and taxes must rise. VERB: V n, V 9. The balance in your bank account is the amount of money you have in it. I'd like to check the balance in my account please. N-COUNT: usu with supp 10. The balance of an amount of money is what remains to be paid for something or what remains when part of the amount has been spent. They were due to pay the balance on delivery. = remainder N-SING: the N 11. see also bank balance 12. If something hangs in the balance, it is uncertain whether it will happen or continue. The fate of a project which could revolutionise the use of computers in hospitals hangs in the balance. PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR 13. If you keep your balance, for example when standing in a moving vehicle, you remain steady and do not fall over. If you lose your balance, you become unsteady and fall over. PHRASE: V inflects 14. If you are off balance, you are in an unsteady position and about to fall. A gust of wind knocked him off balance and he fell face down in the mud. PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR 15. If you are thrown off balance by something, you are surprised or confused by it. She was trying to behave as if his visit hadn't thrown her off balance. PHRASE: PHR after v 16. You can say on balance to indicate that you are stating an opinion after considering all the relevant facts or arguments. On balance he agreed with Christine. PHRASE: PHR with cl Easton's Bible Dictionaryoccurs in Lev. 19:36 and Isa. 46:6, as the rendering of the Hebrew _kanch'_, which properly means "a reed" or "a cane," then a rod or beam of a balance. This same word is translated "measuring reed" in Ezek. 40:3,5; 42:16-18. There is another Hebrew word, _mozena'yim_, i.e., "two poisers", also so rendered (Dan. 5:27). The balances as represented on the most ancient Egyptian monuments resemble those now in use. A "pair of balances" is a symbol of justice and fair dealing (Job 31:6; Ps. 62:9; Prov. 11:1). The expression denotes great want and scarcity in Rev. 6:5. International Standard Bible Encyclopediabal'-ans The English word "balance" is from the Latin bilanx = "having two scales" (bi = "two" and lanx = "plate," or "scale"). It is used to render three Hebrew words: Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms
Foolish DictionarySomething wanted by book-keepers and often lost by topers. May be found in a cash-book or the kangaroo gait. 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