Balance

Balance
Balance Bal"ance (b[a^]l"ans), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Balanced} (b[a^]l"anst); p. pr. & vb. n. {Balancing} (b[a^]l"an*s[i^]ng).] [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. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

3. To equal in number, weight, force, or proportion; to counterpoise, counterbalance, counteract, or neutralize. [1913 Webster]

One expression . . . must check and balance another. --Kent. [1913 Webster]

4. To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to estimate. [1913 Webster]

Balance the good and evil of things. --L'Estrange. [1913 Webster]

5. To settle and adjust, as an account; to make two accounts equal by paying the difference between them. [1913 Webster]

I am very well satisfied that it is not in my power to balance accounts with my Maker. --Addison. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

8. (Dancing) To move toward, and then back from, reciprocally; as, to balance partners. [1913 Webster]

9. (Naut.) To contract, as a sail, into a narrower compass; as, to balance the boom mainsail. [1913 Webster]

{Balanced valve}. See {Balance valve}, under {Balance}, n. [1913 Webster]

Syn: To poise; weigh; adjust; counteract; neutralize; equalize. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Balance — (de) …   Kölsch Dialekt Lexikon

  • Balance — Bal ance (b[a^]l ans), n. [OE. balaunce, F. balance, fr. L. bilanx, bilancis, having two scales; bis twice (akin to E. two) + lanx plate, scale.] 1. An apparatus for weighing. [1913 Webster] Note: In its simplest form, a balance consists of a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • balance — BALANCE. s. f. Instrument dont on se sert pour peser, composé de deux bassins de même poids, suspendus à un fléau. Balance juste. Fausse balance. Les bassins, les plats d une balance. La languette d une balance. Le fléau d une balance. Tenir la… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie Française 1798

  • balance — BALANCE. subst. f. Instrument à deux bassins servant à peser. Balance juste. fausse balance. les bassins de la balance. la languette de la balance. le fleau de la balance. tenir la balance juste. faire pencher la balance. On dit que, Le poids… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • balance — 1. The noun is about four centuries older than the verb, and has derived several figurative uses from its primary meaning of ‘an apparatus for weighing’, as for example in accounting (where the notion of balancing the books is ever present) and… …   Modern English usage

  • balance — ► NOUN 1) an even distribution of weight ensuring stability. 2) mental or emotional stability. 3) a condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions. 4) an apparatus for weighing, especially one with a beam and… …   English terms dictionary

  • Balance — bezeichnet: Gleichgewicht (Physik), ein Gleichgewicht von entgegenwirkenden Kräften oder Aspekten oder einen Zustand der Ausgewogenheit Ausgeglichenheit Eigenschaften einer Datenstruktur; siehe Balancierter Baum Balance (Magazin), ein von der… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Balance — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Balance puede referirse a: Balance (contabilidad), informe financiero que refleja la situación del patrimonio de una entidad en un momento determinado. Balance hídrico, el equilibrio entre todos los recursos hídricos …   Wikipedia Español

  • balance — n 1 Balance, equilibrium, equipoise, poise, tension are comparable when denoting the stability or efficiency resulting from the equalization or exact adjustment of opposing forces. Balance suggests a steadiness that results when all parts are… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • balance — or Balance [bal′əns] n. [ME & OFr, prob. via ML < VL * bilancia < LL bilanx, having two scales < L bis, twice + lanx, a dish, scale < IE * elek , extended stem of base * el , to bend > ELBOW] 1. an instrument for weighing, esp. one …   English World dictionary

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