balance

[BalĀ·ance]

The seventh sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about September 23 to October 22

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An apparatus for weighing.

Noun
a scale for weighing; depends on pull of gravity

Noun
a wheel that regulates the rate of movement in a machine; especially a wheel oscillating against the hairspring of a timepiece to regulate its beat

Noun
an equivalent counterbalancing weight

Noun
(mathematics) an attribute of a shape or relation; exact correspondence of form on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane

Noun
harmonious arrangement or relation of parts or elements within a whole (as in a design); "in all perfectly beautiful objects there is found the opposition of one part to another and a reciprocal balance"- John Ruskin

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Noun
the seventh sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about September 23 to October 22

Noun
(astrology) a person who is born while the sun in in Libra

Noun
equality between the totals of the credit and debit sides of an account

Noun
the difference between the totals of the credit and debit sides of an account

Noun
something left after other parts have been taken away; "there was no remainder"; "he threw away the rest"; "he took what he wanted and I got the balance"

Noun
equality of distribution

Noun
a state of equilibrium

Verb
hold or carry in equilibrium

Verb
compute credits and debits of an account

Verb
bring into balance or equilibrium; "She has to balance work and her domestic duties"; "balance the two weights"

Verb
be in equilibrium; "He was balancing on one foot"


n.
An apparatus for weighing.

n.
Act of weighing mentally; comparison; estimate.

n.
Equipoise between the weights in opposite scales.

n.
The state of being in equipoise; equilibrium; even adjustment; steadiness.

n.
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.

n.
A balance wheel, as of a watch, or clock. See Balance wheel (in the Vocabulary).

n.
The constellation Libra.

n.
The seventh sign in the Zodiac, called Libra, which the sun enters at the equinox in September.

n.
A movement in dancing. See Balance, v. i., S.

n.
To bring to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights; to weigh in a balance.

n.
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.

n.
To equal in number, weight, force, or proportion; to counterpoise, counterbalance, counteract, or neutralize.

n.
To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to estimate.

n.
To settle and adjust, as an account; to make two accounts equal by paying the difference between them.

n.
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.

n.
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.

n.
To move toward, and then back from, reciprocally; as, to balance partners.

n.
To contract, as a sail, into a narrower compass; as, to balance the boom mainsail.

v. i.
To have equal weight on each side; to be in equipoise; as, the scales balance.

v. i.
To fluctuate between motives which appear of equal force; to waver; to hesitate.

v. i.
To move toward a person or couple, and then back.


Balance

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. &hand; 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.
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.
The order and balance of the country were destroyed.
English workmen completely lose their balance.
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.
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'94l) 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.

Balance

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.
4. To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to estimate.
Balance the good and evil of things.
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.
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.

Balance

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.
3. (Dancing) To move toward a person or couple, and then back.

An apparatus for weighing.

To bring to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights; to weigh in a balance.

To have equal weight on each side; to be in equipoise; as, the scales balance.

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Usage Examples

Film is a very young art that is still evolving. Soon, we shall reach a balance between content and technology.

Beauty is only skin deep. I think what's really important is finding a balance of mind, body and spirit.

A wise woman recognizes when her life is out of balance and summons the courage to act to correct it, she knows the meaning of true generosity, happiness is the reward for a life lived in harmony, with a courage and grace.

Design is a constant challenge to balance comfort with luxe, the practical with the desirable.

Environmental policy must strike a balance between the earth's best interests and our citizen's pressing needs.

At times I experience hardship in trying to find the proper point of balance between traditional things and my own personality.

Faith gives you an inner strength and a sense of balance and perspective in life.

But if you can create an honorable livelihood, where you take your skills and use them and you earn a living from it, it gives you a sense of freedom and allows you to balance your life the way you want.

Misspelled Form

balance, vbalance, gbalance, hbalance, nbalance, balance, valance, galance, halance, nalance, alance, bvalance, bgalance, bhalance, bnalance, b alance, bqalance, bwalance, bsalance, bzalance, bqlance, bwlance, bslance, bzlance, baqlance, bawlance, baslance, bazlance, baklance, baolance, baplance, ba:lance, bakance, baoance, bapance, ba:ance, balkance, baloance, balpance, bal:ance, balqance, balwance, balsance, balzance, balqnce, balwnce, balsnce, balznce, balaqnce, balawnce, balasnce, balaznce, balabnce, balahnce, balajnce, balamnce, bala nce, balabce, balahce, balajce, balamce, bala ce, balanbce, balanhce, balanjce, balanmce, balan ce, balanxce, balandce, balanfce, balanvce, balan ce, balanxe, balande, balanfe, balanve, balan e, balancxe, balancde, balancfe, balancve, balanc e, balancwe, balanc3e, balanc4e, balancre, balancse, balancde, balancw, balanc3, balanc4, balancr, balancs, balancd, balancew, balance3, balance4, balancer, balances, balanced.

Other Usage Examples

Balance is key: I need to be successful in my career to feel fulfilled, be surrounded by people I care about to share it with, and have my health to be able to do the things I love to do!

A well-developed sense of humor is the pole that adds balance to your steps as you walk the tightrope of life.

But because it was able to balance that kind of humor with a sweet story and characters you really rooted for and also got across the girls' point of view, I've heard nothing but great things from younger and older females as well.

But all the money in the world cannot make you happy either, so there has to be a balance.

A lot of music is mathematics. It's balance.

Being on your own would be sad, sick and weird. I don't trust myself. I need that balance.

Almost every wise saying has an opposite one, no less wise, to balance it.

A lot of me is very up, and you have to have light and shade. They are both important and you have to be able to balance them. You have to admit that sadness is part of you and that it enriches you. I use it in my work.

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