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   Bal·ance

   /ˈbaləns/

   

   noun

   • 1. an even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady: "she lost her balance before falling" Similar stabilityequilibriumsteadinessfootingOpposite instability
   • ▪ the ability of a boat to stay on course without adjustment of the rudder.
   • 2. a condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions: "try to keep a balance between work and relaxation" Similar fairnessjusticeimpartialityegalitarianismequal opportunityparityequityequilibriumevennesssymmetryequipoisecorrespondenceuniformityequalityequivalencesimilaritylevelnessparallelismcomparabilityOpposite imbalance
   • ▪ stability of one's mind or feelings: "the way to some kind of peace and personal balance" Similar composureassuranceself-assuranceself-controlcalmnesscoolnesscool headeasetranquilityserenityimperturbabilityimpassivityequanimitynonchalanceconfidenceself-confidenceself-possessionsurenesspoisedignityaplombpresence of mindnervesangfroidcountenancecollectednesssuavenessurbanityeleganceinformal:coolunflappabilityOpposite nervousness
   • ▪ the relative volume of various sources of sound: "the balance of the voices is good"
   • ▪ harmony of design and proportion.
   • 3. an apparatus for weighing, especially one with a central pivot, beam, and a pair of scales. Similar scale(s)weighing machineweighbridge
   • ▪ the zodiacal sign or constellation Libra.
   • 4. a counteracting weight or force. Similar counterbalanceequipoisecounterweightstabilizercompensationrecompenseballastmakeweightarchaic:countercheck
   • ▪ the regulating device in a mechanical clock or watch.
   • 5. a predominating weight or amount; the majority: "the balance of opinion was that work was more important than leisure"
   • 6. a figure representing the difference between credits and debits in an account; the amount of money held in an account: "he accumulated a healthy balance with the savings bank"
   • ▪ the difference between an amount due and an amount paid: "unpaid credit-card balances" Similar remainderoutstanding amountrestresiduedifferenceremaining part/number/quantity
   • ▪ an amount left over.

   verb

   • 1. keep or put (something) in a steady position so that it does not fall: "a mug that she balanced on her knee" Similar steadystabilizepoiselevelpropposition
   • ▪ remain in a steady position without falling: "Richard balanced on the ball of one foot"
   • 2. offset or compare the value of (one thing) with another: "the cost of obtaining such information needs to be balanced against its benefits" Similar weighweigh upcompareevaluateconsiderassessappraiseestimate
   • ▪ counteract, equal, or neutralize the weight or importance of: "he balanced his radical remarks with more familiar declarations" Similar counterbalancebalance outcancelcancel outoffseteven out/upcounteractcounterpoisecountervailequalizeneutralizenullifycompensate formake up forrare:equilibrize
   • ▪ establish equal or appropriate proportions of elements in: "they are struggling to balance work and family life"
   • 3. compare debits and credits in (an account), typically to ensure that they are equal: "the law requires the council to balance its books each year"
   • ▪ (of an account) have credits and debits equal: "a surplus on the capital account to make the account balance" Similar correspondagreetallymatch upconcurcoincidebe in agreementbe consistentequatebe equalharmonizebe in harmonybe compatiblebe consonantbe congruousbe in tunedovetailcorrelateinformal:squarejibe

   Word Origin Middle English (in balance (sense 3 of the noun)): from Old French balance (noun), balancer (verb), based on late Latin (libra) bilanx ‘(balance) having two scale pans’, from bi- ‘twice, having two’ + lanx ‘scale pan’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. balancer noun

   Scrabble Points: 11

   • B

     3

   • A

     1

   • L

     1

   • A

     1

   • N

     1

   • C

     3

   • E

     1

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