From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Balance \Bal"ance\ (b[a^]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.
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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.
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2. Act of weighing mentally; comparison; estimate.
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A fair balance of the advantages on either side.
--Atterbury.
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3. Equipoise between the weights in opposite scales.
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4. The state of being in equipoise; equilibrium; even
adjustment; steadiness.
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And hung a bottle on each side
To make his balance true. --Cowper.
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The order and balance of the country were destroyed.
--Buckle.
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English workmen completely lose their balance. --J.
S. Mill.
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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.
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I still think the balance of probabilities leans
towards the account given in the text. --J. Peile.
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6. (Horol.) A balance wheel, as of a watch, or clock. See
{Balance wheel} (in the Vocabulary).
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7. (Astron.)
(a) The constellation Libra.
(b) The seventh sign in the Zodiac, called Libra, which
the sun enters at the equinox in September.
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8. A movement in dancing. See {Balance}, v. t., 8.
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{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.
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From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
balance of power
n 1: an equilibrium of power between nations
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