balance
/ˈbæləns/ noun B1- A state in which opposing forces harmonise; equilibrium.
- Mental equilibrium; mental health; calmness, a state of remaining clear-headed and unperturbed.
- 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.
- A pair of scales.
- Awareness of both viewpoints or matters; neutrality; rationality; objectivity.
- 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.
- Apparent harmony in art (between differing colours, sounds, etc.).
- A list accounting for the debits on one side, and for the credits on the other.
Plural balances
Phrasal verbs and expressions
From the library
“I am endeavoring,” he thought, “to make this man happy; I look upon this restitution as a weight thrown into the scale to balance the evil I have wrought.
But for all his efforts he could not get his balance, and over he went.
On looking over the bank-book I found that the low state of the balance was principally due to large checks which have been made out during the last year to Mr.
“Say, rather, into the region where we balance probabilities and choose the most likely.
Other matches
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