[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

balance \bal"ance\ ba^l"ans, n. oe. balaunce, f. balance,
   fr. l. bilanx, bilancis, having two scales; bis twice akin
   to e. two + lanx plate, scale.
   1. an apparatus for weighing.
      1913 webster

   note: 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.
         1913 webster

   2. act of weighing mentally; comparison; estimate.
      1913 webster

            a fair balance of the advantages on either side.
                                                  --atterbury.
      1913 webster

   3. equipoise between the weights in opposite scales.
      1913 webster

   4. the state of being in equipoise; equilibrium; even
      adjustment; steadiness.
      1913 webster

            and hung a bottle on each side
            to make his balance true.             --cowper.
      1913 webster

            the order and balance of the country were destroyed.
                                                  --buckle.
      1913 webster

            english workmen completely lose their balance. --j.
                                                  s. mill.
      1913 webster

   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.
      1913 webster

            i still think the balance of probabilities leans
            towards the account given in the text. --j. peile.
      1913 webster

   6. horol. a balance wheel, as of a watch, or clock. see
      balance wheel in the vocabulary.
      1913 webster

   7. astron.
      a the constellation libra.
      b the seventh sign in the zodiac, called libra, which
          the sun enters at the equinox in september.
          1913 webster

   8. a movement in dancing. see balance, v. t., 8.
      1913 webster

   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. zool. 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
      inclination 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.
      1913 webster
see also:
balance wheel balance balance electrometer balance fish hammerhead balance knife 
balance of power balance sheet balance thermometer balance of torsion torsion balance 
balance of trade balance valve puppet valve hydrostatic balance hydrostatic 
to lay in balance to strike a balance 

Valve >> V Words
Valve, definition of term: Valve
valve_pag1.html

Balance >> B Words
Balance, definition of term: Balance
balance_pag1.html

Balance Sheet >> B Words
Balance Sheet, definition of term: Balance Sheet
balance+sheet_pag1.html

Tricuspid Valve >> T Words
Tricuspid Valve, definition of term: Tricuspid Valve
tricuspid+valve_pag1.html

Safety Valve >> S Words
Safety Valve, definition of term: Safety Valve
safety+valve_pag1.html

Trial Balance >> T Words
Trial Balance, definition of term: Trial Balance
trial+balance_pag1.html

Relief Valve >> R Words
Relief Valve, definition of term: Relief Valve
relief+valve_pag1.html

Globe Valve >> G Words
Globe Valve, definition of term: Globe Valve
globe+valve_pag1.html

Ball Valve >> B Words
Ball Valve, definition of term: Ball Valve
ball+valve_pag1.html

Bicuspid Valve >> B Words
Bicuspid Valve, definition of term: Bicuspid Valve
bicuspid+valve_pag1.html

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