Sekirov Dictionary

balance

/ˈbæləns/

noun 12
verb 12
forms 5
phrases 8

noun12

•
a steady state in which forces pulling in opposite directions are the same in strength
- 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
Mental equilibrium; mental health; calmness, a state of remaining clear-headed and unperturbed.
Apparent harmony in art (between differing colours, sounds, etc.).
•
The 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.
•
The remainder.
- The balance of the agreement remains in effect.
- The invoice said he had only paid $50. The balance was $220.
•
The 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.
- I think the balance of opinion is that we should get out while we're ahead.
•
Something of equal weight used to provide equilibrium; counterweight.
- These weights are used as a balance for the overhanging verandah.
- Blair thought he could provide a useful balance to Bush's policies.
Awareness of both viewpoints or matters; neutrality; rationality; objectivity.
A pair of scales.
A list accounting for the debits on one side, and for the credits on the other.
A device used to regulate the speed of a watch, clock etc.
(no longer used) Libra.

verb12

To bring (items) to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights.
To be in equilibrium.
•
(figurative) To 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
•
To 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.
- The circus performer balances a plate on the end of a baton.
•
To make the credits and debits of (an account) correspond.
- to balance a set of books
- This final payment, or credit, balances the account.
To have matching credits and debits.
•
To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to estimate.
- Ballance the Good and Evil of Things. — 1692
•
[with oneself] To move while remaining balanced on a narrow or precarious support (e.g., a wire, ledge or rope).
- She balanced along the wire while the crowd watched in rapt attention.
- They must balance themselves down the fence until they reach the end.
•
To move toward, and then back from, reciprocally.
- to balance partners
To contract, as a sail, into a narrower compass.
(no longer used) To weigh in a balance.
(no longer used) To hesitate or fluctuate.

forms

balanced · balancing · balances · balanceth · balancest

Phrases with balance

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