balance

plural balances · alternative balaunce

1. uncountableA state in which opposing forces harmonise; equilibrium.

   But civilized man is quite a different animal, and when he wipes out an entire city or levels a forest, he is no longer working within the natural balance of things.

   1981, William Irwin Thompson, The Time Falling Bodies Take to Light: Mythology, Sexuality and the Origins of Culture, London: Rider/Hutchinson & Co., page 196

   Synonyms: equilibrium

2. uncountableMental equilibrium; mental health; calmness, a state of remaining clear-headed and unperturbed.
3. countablefigurativelyliterallyuncountableSomething of equal weight used to provide equilibrium; counterweight.

   These weights are used as a balance for the overhanging verandah.

   1 more example

   Blair thought he could provide a useful balance to Bush's policies.

4. countableuncountableA pair of scales.

   Synonyms: pair of scales, set of scales, scales, weighing machine, weighbridge

5. uncountableAwareness of both viewpoints or matters; neutrality; rationality; objectivity.

   Synonyms: disinterest, even-handedness, fairness, impartiality, neutrality, nonpartisanship

6. uncountableThe overall result of conflicting forces, opinions etc.; the influence which ultimately "weighs" more than others.

   The balance of power finally lay with the Royalist forces.

   2 more examples

   I think the balance of opinion is that we should get out while we're ahead.

   The shift in the balance of power online has allowed anyone to publish to the world, from dispirited teenagers in south London to an anonymous cyber-dissident in a Middle East autocracy.

   2012 April 19, Josh Halliday, “Free speech haven or lawless cesspool – can the internet be civilised?”, in the Guardian

7. uncountableApparent harmony in art (between differing colours, sounds, etc.).
8. countableuncountableaccountingA list accounting for the debits on one side, and for the credits on the other.

   Synonyms: account

9. countableuncountableaccountingThe result of such a procedure; the difference between credit and debit of an account.

   I just need to nip to a bank and check my balance.

10. countableuncountableA device used to regulate the speed of a watch, clock etc.
11. countableuncountablebusinessThe remainder.

    Balance Luzon

    2 more examples

    The balance of the agreement remains in effect.

    The invoice said he had only paid $50. The balance was $220.

12. countableobsoleteuncountableastrologyLibra.

present singular third person balances · participle present balancing · participle past balanced · past balanced · first person past singular balanced · archaic present second person singular balancest · past second person singular balanced · archaic past second person singular balancedst · present singular third person balances · archaic present singular third person balanceth · past singular third person balanced · past plural balanced · past subjunctive balanced · participle present balancing · participle past balanced · alternative balaunce

1. transitiveTo bring (items) to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights.

   Synonyms: equilibrate

   1. intransitivereflexivetransitiveTo move while remaining balanced on a narrow or precarious support (e.g., a wire, ledge or rope).

      They must balance themselves down the fence until they reach the end.

      1 more example

      She balanced along the wire while the crowd watched in rapt attention.

      Synonyms: equilibrate, equilibrate

2. figurativelytransitiveTo make (concepts) agree.

   the Proteus Principle helps to qualify and balance the concepts of narrators and of narrative situations as previously developed in classical studies by G erard Genette and Franz Stanzel.

   2014, Peter Melville Logan, Olakunle George, Susan Hegeman, The Encyclopedia of the Novel

3. transitiveTo hold (an object or objects) precariously; to support on a narrow base, so as to keep from falling.

   I balanced my mug of coffee on my knee.

   1 more example

   The circus performer balances a plate on the end of a baton.

4. transitiveTo compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to estimate.

   Ballance the Good and Evil of Things.

   1692, Roger L’Estrange, “ (please specify the fable number.) (please specify the name of the fable.)”, in Fables, of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists: […], London: […] R[ichard] Sare, […], →OCLC

   1 more example

   Mr. Morrison's ruling to reopen the station as a shelter was given after he had balanced the relative dangers of flooding and bombing.

   1941 September, Charles E. Lee, “Sheltering in London Tube Stations”, in Railway Magazine, page 389

5. transitivedanceTo move toward, and then back from, reciprocally.

   to balance partners

6. transitivenauticalTo contract, as a sail, into a narrower compass.

   to balance the boom mainsail

7. transitiveTo make the credits and debits of (an account) correspond.

   to balance a set of books

   2 more examples

   This final payment, or credit, balances the account.

   I am very well satisfied that it is not in my power to balance accounts with my Maker.

   1712 December 9 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison; Richard Steele et al.], “FRIDAY, November 29, 1712”, in The Spectator, number 549; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume VI, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC

8. intransitiveTo be in equilibrium.
9. intransitiveTo have matching credits and debits.
10. obsoletetransitiveTo weigh in a balance.
11. intransitiveobsoleteTo hesitate or fluctuate.

1. astrologyThe constellation and zodiacal sign Libra.

   Libra, or the Balance holdeth in the Navel, the Reins, and the lower parts of the Womb.

   1668, ‘Godfridus’, The Knowledge of Things Unknown, London: G.P. for G. Sawbridge, page 20

   2 more examples

   The Balance shows redemption’s need; The Scorpion wounds He must endure; The Archer tells His coming sure; The Goat, His death in sacrifice[.]

   1862, [Frances Rolleston], Mazzaroth, or, The Constellations: Part III, London: Rivingtons, page 7

   The Balance, we have been told, "marks the equality of the days and nights at the equinoxes." Possibly; but the Balance is just the one sign not truly archaic, and I think we shall find that quite another class of reasons operated in the selection of objects.

   1882, Robert Brown, On a German Astronomico-astrological Manuscript, and on the Origin of the Signs of the Zodiac, London: J.B. Nichols and Sons, page 9