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balance

 - 10 dictionary results
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bal⋅ance

  [bal-uhns] noun, verb, -anced, -anc⋅ing.
Use balance in a Sentence
–noun
1. a state of equilibrium or equipoise; equal distribution of weight, amount, etc.
2. something used to produce equilibrium; counterpoise.
3. mental steadiness or emotional stability; habit of calm behavior, judgment, etc.
4. a state of bodily equilibrium: He lost his balance and fell down the stairs.
5. an instrument for determining weight, typically by the equilibrium of a bar with a fulcrum at the center, from each end of which is suspended a scale or pan, one holding an object of known weight, and the other holding the object to be weighed.
6. the remainder or rest: He carried what he could and left the balance for his brother to bring.
7. the power or ability to decide an outcome by throwing one's strength, influence, support, or the like, to one side or the other.
8. (in winemaking) the degree to which all the attributes of a wine are in harmony, with none either too prominent or deficient.
9. Accounting.
a. equality between the totals of the two sides of an account.
b. the difference between the debit total and the credit total of an account.
c. unpaid difference represented by the excess of debits over credits.
10. an adjustment of accounts.
11. the act of balancing; comparison as to weight, amount, importance, etc.; estimate.
12. preponderating weight: The balance of the blame is on your side.
13. Fine Arts. composition or placement of elements of design, as figures, forms, or colors, in such a manner as to produce an aesthetically pleasing or harmoniously integrated whole.
14. Dance. a balancing movement.
15. Also called balance wheel. Horology. a wheel that oscillates against the tension of a hairspring to regulate the beats of a watch or clock.
16. (initial capital letter) Astronomy, Astrology. the constellation or sign of Libra; Scales.
17. Audio. (in a stereophonic sound system) the comparative loudness of two speakers, usually set by a control (balance control) on the amplifier or receiver.
–verb (used with object)
18. to bring to or hold in equilibrium; poise: to balance a book on one's head.
19. to arrange, adjust, or proportion the parts of symmetrically.
20. to be equal or proportionate to: I'm always happy when cash on hand balances expected expenses. One side of an equation must balance the other.
21. Accounting.
a. to add up the two sides of (an account) and determine the difference.
b. to make the necessary entries in (an account) so that the sums of the two sides will be equal.
c. to settle by paying what remains due on an account; equalize or adjust.
22. to weigh in a balance.
23. to estimate the relative weight or importance of; compare: to balance all the probabilities of a situation.
24. to serve as a counterpoise to; counterbalance; offset: The advantages more than balance the disadvantages.
25. Dance. to move in rhythm to and from: to balance one's partner.
–verb (used without object)
26. to have an equality or equivalence in weight, parts, etc.; be in equilibrium: The account doesn't balance. Do these scales balance?
27. Accounting. to reckon or adjust accounts.
28. to waver or hesitate: He would balance and temporize endlessly before reaching a decision.
29. Dance. to move forward and backward or in opposite directions.
—Idioms
30. in the balance, with the outcome in doubt or suspense: While the jury deliberated, his fate rested in the balance.
31. on balance, considering all aspects: On balance, the new product is doing well.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME balaunce < AF; OF balance < VL *balancia, var. of *bilancia, equiv. to LL bilanc- (s. of bilanx with double scales; L bi- bi- 1 + lanx metal dish, pan of a pair of scales) + -ia -ia

Related forms:
bal⋅ance⋅a⋅ble, adjective

Synonyms:
3. poise, composure. 6. See remainder. 13. See symmetry.
Balances and Scales
METTLER TOLEDO balances and scales for precise and accurate weighing!
www.mt.com/balances-scales
OppenheimerFunds.
Products and Services For A Range Of Financial Goals. Learn More.
www.OppenheimerFunds.com/stars

bal⋅an⋅cé

  [bal-uhn-sey; Fr. ba-lahn-sey]
–noun, plural -cés  [-seyz; Fr. -sey] . Ballet.
a swaying step performed in place in which the weight is lightly shifted from one foot to the other, the dancer sinking down on the heel of the foot to which the body is shifting, with flexed knees.
Origin:
< F, n. use of ptp. of balancer to balance, swing, rock
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To balance
bal·ance   (bāl'əns)   
n.  

  1. A weighing device, especially one consisting of a rigid beam horizontally suspended by a low-friction support at its center, with identical weighing pans hung at either end, one of which holds an unknown weight while the effective weight in the other is increased by known amounts until the beam is level and motionless.

  2. A state of equilibrium or parity characterized by cancellation of all forces by equal opposing forces.

  3. The power or means to decide.

    1. A state of bodily equilibrium: thrown off balance by a gust of wind.

    2. The ability to maintain bodily equilibrium: Gymnasts must have good balance.

    3. Equality of totals in the debit and credit sides of an account.

    4. The difference between such totals, either on the credit or the debit side.

  5. A stable mental or psychological state; emotional stability.

  6. A harmonious or satisfying arrangement or proportion of parts or elements, as in a design. See Synonyms at proportion.

  7. An influence or force tending to produce equilibrium; counterpoise.

  8. The difference in magnitude between opposing forces or influences.

  9. Accounting

    1. Equality of totals in the debit and credit sides of an account.

    2. The difference between such totals, either on the credit or the debit side.

  10. Something that is left over; a remainder.

  11. Chemistry Equality of mass and net electric charge of reacting species on each side of an equation.

  12. Mathematics Equality with respect to the net number of reduced symbolic quantities on each side of an equation.

  13. A balance wheel.

v.   bal·anced, bal·anc·ing, bal·anc·es

v.   tr.

  1. To determine the weight of (something) in or as if in a weighing device.

  2. To compare by or as if by turning over in the mind: balanced the pros and cons before making a choice.

  3. To bring into or maintain in a state of equilibrium.

  4. To act as an equalizing weight or force to; counterbalance.

  5. Accounting

    1. To compute the difference between the debits and credits of (an account).

    2. To reconcile or equalize the sums of the debits and credits of (an account).

    3. To settle (an account, for example) by paying what is owed.

  6. To bring into or keep in equal or satisfying proportion or harmony.

  7. Mathematics To bring (an equation) into balance.

  8. Chemistry To bring (an equation) into balance.

  9. To move toward and then away from (a dance partner).

v.   intr.

  1. To be in or come into equilibrium.

  2. To be equal or equivalent.

  3. To sway or waver as if losing or regaining equilibrium.

  4. To move toward and then away from a dance partner.


[Middle English balaunce, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *bilancia, having two scale pans, from Latin bilānx : bi-, two; see dwo- in Indo-European roots + lānx, scale.]
bal'ance·a·ble adj.
Bal·ance   (bāl'əns)   
n.  See Libra.
Li·bra   (lē'brə, lī'-)   
n.  

  1. A constellation in the Southern Hemisphere near Scorpius and Virgo. Also called Balance, Scales.

    1. The seventh sign of the zodiac in astrology. Also called Balance, Scales.

    2. One who is born under this sign.


[Middle English, from Latin Lībra, from lībra, balance, the constellation Libra.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

balance 
c.1275, "apparatus for weighing," from O.Fr. balance, from M.L. bilancia, from L.L. bilanx (acc. bilancem), from L. (libra) bilanx "(scale) having two pans," possibly from L. bis "twice" + lanx "a dish, scale." The accounting sense is from 1588; the meaning "general harmony between parts" is from 1732; sense of "physical equipoise" is from 1667. The verb is attested from 1579. Balance of power in the geopolitical sense is from 1701; balanced meal, diet, etc. is from 1908.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: bal·ance
Pronunciation: 'bal-&n(t)s
Function: noun
1 : an instrument for weighing
2 : mental andemotional steadiness
3 a : the relation in physiology between the intake of a particular nutrient and its excretion —used with positive when the nutrient is in excessof the bodily metabolic requirement and with negative when dietary inadequacy and withdrawal of bodily reserves is present; —see NITROGEN BALANCE, WATER BALANCE b : the maintenance (as in laboratory cultures) of apopulation at about the same condition and level
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

balance bal·ance (bāl'əns)
n.

  1. A weighing device, especially one consisting of a rigid beam horizontally suspended by a low-friction support at its center, with identical weighing pans hung at either end, one of which holds an unknown weight while the effective weight in the other is increased by known amounts until the beam is level and motionless.

  2. A state of bodily equilibrium.

  3. The difference in magnitude between opposing forces or influences, such as for bodily parts or organs.

  4. Equality of mass and net electric charge of reacting species on each side of a chemical equation.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Bible Dictionary

Balance

occurs 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.

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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Idioms & Phrases

balance

In addition to the idiom beginning with balance, also see checks and balances; hang in the balance; off balance; on balance; redress the balance; strike a balance; tip the balance.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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