Balance vs. Stability
Balancenoun
(uncountable) A state in which opposing forces harmonise; equilibrium.
Stabilitynoun
The condition of being stable or in equilibrium, and thus resistant to change.
Balancenoun
(uncountable) Mental equilibrium; mental health; calmness, a state of remaining clear-headed and unperturbed.
Stabilitynoun
The tendency to recover from perturbations.
Balancenoun
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.’;
Stabilitynoun
The state or quality of being stable, or firm; steadiness; stableness; firmness; strength to stand without being moved or overthrown; as, the stability of a structure; the stability of a throne or a constitution.
Balancenoun
A pair of scales.
Stabilitynoun
Steadiness or firmness of character; firmness of resolution or purpose; the quality opposite to fickleness, irresolution, or inconstancy; constancy; steadfastness; as, a man of little stability, or of unusual stability.
Balancenoun
(uncountable) Awareness of both viewpoints or matters; neutrality; rationality; objectivity.
Stabilitynoun
Fixedness; - as opposed to fluidity.
‘Since fluidness and stability are contrary qualities.’;
Balancenoun
(uncountable) 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.’;
Stabilitynoun
the quality or attribute of being firm and steadfast
Balancenoun
(uncountable) Apparent harmony in art (between differing colours, sounds, etc.).
Stabilitynoun
a stable order
Balancenoun
(accounting) A list accounting for the debits on one side, and for the credits on the other.
Stabilitynoun
the quality of being free from change or variation
Balancenoun
(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.’;
Balancenoun
(watchmaking) A device used to regulate the speed of a watch, clock etc.
Balancenoun
The remainder.
‘The balance of the agreement remains in effect.’; ‘The invoice said he had only paid $50. The balance was $220.’;
Balancenoun
Libra.
Balanceverb
(transitive) To bring (items) to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights.
Balanceverb
To make (concepts) agree.
Balanceverb
(transitive) 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.’;
Balanceverb
(transitive) To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to estimate.
Balanceverb
To move toward, and then back from, reciprocally.
‘to balance partners’;
Balanceverb
(nautical) To contract, as a sail, into a narrower compass.
‘to balance the boom mainsail’;
Balanceverb
(transitive) To make the credits and debits of (an account) correspond.
‘This final payment, or credit, balances the account.’; ‘to balance a set of books’;
Balanceverb
(intransitive) To be in equilibrium.
Balanceverb
(intransitive) To have matching credits and debits.
Balancenoun
An apparatus for weighing.
Balancenoun
Act of weighing mentally; comparison; estimate.
‘A fair balance of the advantages on either side.’;
Balancenoun
Equipoise between the weights in opposite scales.
Balancenoun
The state of being in equipoise; equilibrium; even adjustment; steadiness.
‘And hung a bottle on each sideTo make his balance true.’; ‘The order and balance of the country were destroyed.’; ‘English workmen completely lose their balance.’;
Balancenoun
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.
‘I still think the balance of probabilities leans towards the account given in the text.’;
Balancenoun
A balance wheel, as of a watch, or clock. See Balance wheel (in the Vocabulary).
Balancenoun
The constellation Libra.
Balancenoun
A movement in dancing. See Balance, v. t., 8.
Balanceverb
To bring to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights; to weigh in a balance.
Balanceverb
To support on a narrow base, so as to keep from falling; as, to balance a plate on the end of a cane; to balance one's self on a tight rope.
Balanceverb
To equal in number, weight, force, or proportion; to counterpoise, counterbalance, counteract, or neutralize.
‘One expression . . . must check and balance another.’;
Balanceverb
To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to estimate.
‘Balance the good and evil of things.’;
Balanceverb
To settle and adjust, as an account; to make two accounts equal by paying the difference between them.
‘I am very well satisfied that it is not in my power to balance accounts with my Maker.’;
Balanceverb
To make the sums of the debits and credits of an account equal; - said of an item; as, this payment, or credit, balances the account.
Balanceverb
To arrange accounts in such a way that the sum total of the debits is equal to the sum total of the credits; as, to balance a set of books.
Balanceverb
To move toward, and then back from, reciprocally; as, to balance partners.
Balanceverb
To contract, as a sail, into a narrower compass; as, to balance the boom mainsail.
Balanceverb
To have equal weight on each side; to be in equipoise; as, the scales balance.
Balanceverb
To fluctuate between motives which appear of equal force; to waver; to hesitate.
‘He would not balance or err in the determination of his choice.’;
Balanceverb
To move toward a person or couple, and then back.
Balancenoun
a state of equilibrium
Balancenoun
a scale for weighing; depends on pull of gravity
Balancenoun
equality between the totals of the credit and debit sides of an account
Balancenoun
harmonious arrangement or relation of parts or elements within a whole (as in a design);
‘in all perfectly beautiful objects there is found the opposition of one part to another and a reciprocal balance’;
Balancenoun
equality of distribution
Balancenoun
something left after other parts have been taken away;
‘there was no remainder’; ‘he threw away the rest’; ‘he took what he wanted and I got the balance’;
Balancenoun
the difference between the totals of the credit and debit sides of an account
Balancenoun
(astrology) a person who is born while the sun in in Libra
Balancenoun
the seventh sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about September 23 to October 22
Balancenoun
(mathematics) an attribute of a shape or relation; exact correspondence of form on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane
Balancenoun
an equivalent counterbalancing weight
Balancenoun
a wheel that regulates the rate of movement in a machine; especially a wheel oscillating against the hairspring of a timepiece to regulate its beat
Balanceverb
bring into balance or equilibrium;
‘She has to balance work and her domestic duties’; ‘balance the two weights’;
Balanceverb
compute credits and debits of an account
Balanceverb
hold or carry in equilibrium
Balanceverb
be in equilibrium;
‘He was balancing on one foot’;
