| balance | |
| 1. n. A state in which opposing forces harmonise; equilibrium. | |
| 2. n. Mental equilibrium; mental health; calmness, a state of remaining clear-headed and unperturbed. | |
| 3. n. (literally, or figuratively) 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. | |
| 4. n. A pair of scales. | |
| 5. n. Awareness of both viewpoints or matters; neutrality; rationality; objectivity. | |
| 6. n. 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. | |
| 7. n. Apparent harmony in art (between differing colours, sounds, etc.). | |
| 8. n. (accounting) A list accounting for the debits on one side, and for the credits on the other. | |
| 9. n. (accounting) 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. | |
| 10. n. (watchmaking) A device used to regulate the speed of a watch, clock etc. | |
| 11. n. (legal, business) The remainder. | |
| The balance of the agreement remains in effect. | |
| The invoice said he had only paid $50. The balance was $220. | |
| 12. n. (obsolete, astrology) Libra. | |
| 13. v. To bring (items) to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights. | |
| 14. v. (transitive, figurative) To make (concepts) agree. | |
| 15. v. 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. | |
| 16. v. To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to estimate. | |
| 17. v. (transitive, dancing) To move toward, and then back from, reciprocally. | |
| to balance partners | |
| 18. v. (nautical) To contract, as a sail, into a narrower compass. | |
| to balance the boom mainsail | |
| 19. v. To make the credits and debits of (an account) correspond. | |
| This final payment, or credit, balances the account. | |
| to balance a set of books | |
| 20. v. (intransitive) To be in equilibrium. | |
| 21. v. (intransitive) To have matching credits and debits. | |
