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equilibratory

 - 6 dictionary results

e⋅qui⋅lib⋅ri⋅um

[ee-kwuh-lib-ree-uhm, ek-wuh-]
–noun, plural -ri⋅ums, -ri⋅a [-ree-uh] .
1. a state of rest or balance due to the equal action of opposing forces.
2. equal balance between any powers, influences, etc.; equality of effect.
3. mental or emotional balance; equanimity: The pressures of the situation caused her to lose her equilibrium.
4. Chemistry. the condition existing when a chemical reaction and its reverse reaction proceed at equal rates.

Origin:
1600–10; < L aequilībrium, equiv. to aequi- equi- + lībr(a) balance + -ium -ium


e⋅quil⋅i⋅bra⋅to⋅ry [i-kwil-uh-bruh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, ee-kwuh-lib-ruh-, ek-wuh-] , adjective


1. equipoise, steadiness, stability.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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e·quil·i·brate   (ĭ-kwĭl'ə-brāt')   
v.   e·quil·i·brat·ed, e·quil·i·brat·ing, e·quil·i·brates

v.   intr.
To be in or bring about equilibrium.
v.   tr.
To maintain in or bring into equilibrium.
e·quil'i·bra'tion n., e·quil'i·bra·to'ry (-brə-tôr'ē, -tōr'ē) adj.
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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Cultural Dictionary

equilibrium

A condition in which all influences acting cancel each other, so that a static or balanced situation results. In physics, equilibrium results from the cancellation of forces acting on an object. In chemistry, it occurs when chemical reactions are proceeding in such a way that the amount of each substance in a system remains the same. (See chemical equilibrium.)

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

equilibrium 
1608, from L. æquilibrium, from æquus "equal" + libra "a balance, scale, plummet," of uncertain origin.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: equi·lib·ri·um
Pronunciation: "E-kw&-'lib-rE-&m, "ek-w&-
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural equi·lib·ri·ums or equi·lib·ria /-rE-&/
1 : a state of balance between opposing forces or actions that iseither static (as in a body acted on by forces whose resultant is zero) or dynamic (as in a reversible chemical reaction when the velocities in both directions are equal)
2 : astate of intellectual or emotional balance
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

equilibrium e·qui·lib·ri·um (ē'kwə-lĭb'rē-əm, ěk'wə-)
n.

  1. A condition in which all influences acting upon it are canceled by others, resulting in a stable, balanced, or unchanging system.

  2. The state of a chemical reaction in which its forward and reverse reactions occur at equal rates so that the concentration of the reactants and products does not change with time. Also called dynamic equilibrium.

  3. Mental or emotional balance.

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