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n. [ L. abalienatio: cf. F. abaliénation. ] The act of abalienating; alienation; estrangement. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. (Zool.) A univalve mollusk of the genus Haliotis. The shell is lined with mother-of-pearl, and used for ornamental purposes; the sea-ear. Several large species are found on the coast of California, clinging closely to the rocks. [ 1913 Webster ]

pos>n. (Basketball) A throw at the basket that completely misses, not even hitting the rim. Compare swoosh and nothing but net. [ PJC ]

{ } n. [ OF. arbaleste, LL. arbalista, for L. arcuballista; arcus bow + ballista a military engine. See Ballista. ] (Antiq.) A crossbow, consisting of a steel bow set in a shaft of wood, furnished with a string and a trigger, and a mechanical device for bending the bow. It served to throw arrows, darts, bullets, etc. [ Written also arbalet and arblast. ] Fosbroke. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ OF. arblastere, OF. arbalestier. See Arbalest. ] A crossbowman. [ Obs. ] Speed. [ 1913 Webster ]

A metal-hubbed wheel of great strength and elasticity, esp. adapted for artillery carriages and motor cars. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ See Arbalist. ] A crossbow. Fosbroke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. arcuballistarius. Cf. Arbalister. ] A crossbowman; one who used the arcubalist. Camden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Sp. atabal, fr. Ar. at-tabl the drum, tabala to beat the drum. Cf. Tymbal. ] A kettledrum; a kind of tabor, used by the Moors. Croly. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Atabal. [ 1913 Webster ]

. (Law) A system of balloting or voting in public elections, originally used in South Australia, in which there is such an arrangement for polling votes that secrecy is compulsorily maintained, and the ballot used is an official ballot printed and distributed by the government. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. A paragraph describing something wonderful, used to fill out a newspaper column; -- an allusion to the miracle of Balaam's ass speaking. Numb. xxii. 30. [ Cant ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Balaam basket or box (Print.), the receptacle for rejected articles. Blackw. Mag. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ Malay bālachān. ] A condiment formed of small fishes or shrimps, pounded up with salt and spices, and then dried. It is much esteemed in China. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. close-fitting and woolen and covers all of the head but the face.
Syn. -- balaclava helmet. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. type genus of the Balaenidae: Greenland whales.
Syn. -- genus Balaena. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. type genus of the Balaenicipitidae: shoebills.
Syn. -- genus Balaeniceps. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. a family comprising the shoebills.
Syn. -- family Balaenicipitidae. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. a family comprising the right whales.
Syn. -- family Balaenidae. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

‖n. [ NL., from L. balaena whale + -oid. ] (Zool.) A division of the Cetacea, including the right whale and all other whales having the mouth fringed with baleen. See Baleen. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. the type genus of the Balaenopteridae.
Syn. -- genus Balaenoptera. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. 1. rorquals; blue whales.
Syn. -- family Balaenopteridae. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Russian. ]a stringed instrument of Russian origin that has a triangular body and three strings. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

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 ]

☞ 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 ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Balanced p. pr. & vb. n. Balancing ] [ From Balance, n.: cf. F. balancer. ] 1. To bring to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights; to weigh in a balance. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To equal in number, weight, force, or proportion; to counterpoise, counterbalance, counteract, or neutralize. [ 1913 Webster ]

One expression . . . must check and balance another. Kent. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to estimate. [ 1913 Webster ]

Balance the good and evil of things. L'Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To settle and adjust, as an account; to make two accounts equal by paying the difference between them. [ 1913 Webster ]

I am very well satisfied that it is not in my power to balance accounts with my Maker. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. (Dancing) To move toward, and then back from, reciprocally; as, to balance partners. [ 1913 Webster ]

9. (Naut.) To contract, as a sail, into a narrower compass; as, to balance the boom mainsail. [ 1913 Webster ]

Balanced valve. See Balance valve, under Balance, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To poise; weigh; adjust; counteract; neutralize; equalize. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To have equal weight on each side; to be in equipoise; as, the scales balance. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To fluctuate between motives which appear of equal force; to waver; to hesitate. [ 1913 Webster ]

He would not balance or err in the determination of his choice. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Dancing) To move toward a person or couple, and then back. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Such as can be balanced. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. being in a state of proper balance or equilibrium; -- opposite of unbalanced. the carefully balanced seesaw a properly balanced symphony orchestra a balanced assessment of intellectual and cultural history a balanced blend of whiskeys the educated man shows a balanced development of all his powers [ Narrower terms: counterbalanced, counter-balanced, counterpoised; well-balanced; poised ] [ Related terms: stable --- (maintaining equilibrium) ] [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. The act or result of balancing or adjusting; equipoise; even adjustment of forces. [ R. ] Darwin. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who balances, or uses a balance. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Zool.) In Diptera, the rudimentary posterior wing. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Naut.) The last reef in a fore-and-aft sail, taken to steady the ship. [ 1913 Webster ]

1. (Horology) (a) A wheel which regulates the beats or pulses of a watch or chronometer, answering to the pendulum of a clock; -- often called simply a balance. (b) A ratchet-shaped scape wheel, which in some watches is acted upon by the axis of the balance wheel proper (in those watches called a balance). [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Mach.) A wheel which imparts regularity to the movements of any engine or machine; a fly wheel. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. balanus acorn + -ferous. ] Bearing or producing acorns. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. balanus acorn: cf. F. balanite. ] (Paleon.) A fossil balanoid shell. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL., fr. Gr. ba`lanos acorn + glw^ssa tongue. ] (Zool.) A peculiar marine worm. See Enteropneusta, and Tornaria. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Gr. ba`lanos acorn + -oid. ] (Zool.) Resembling an acorn; -- applied to a group of barnacles having shells shaped like acorns. See Acornshell, and Barnacle. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ OE. bales, balais, F. balais, LL. balascus, fr. Ar. balakhsh, so called from Badakhshan, Balashan, or Balaxiam, a place in the neighborhood of Samarkand, where this ruby is found. ] (Min.) A variety of spinel ruby, of a pale rose red, or inclining to orange. See Spinel. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Sp., prob. fr. native name. ] 1. A West Indian sapotaceous tree (Bumelia retusa). [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

2. The bully tree (Minusops globosa); also, its milky juice (
balata gum), which when dried constitutes an elastic gum called chicle, or chicle gum. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ L. balaustium, Gr. balay`stion. ] (Bot.) The pomegranate tree (Punica granatum). The bark of the root, the rind of the fruit, and the flowers are used medicinally. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ F., lit., a female sweeper. ] A protecting ruffle or frill, as of silk or lace, sewed close to the lower edge of a skirt on the inside. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

{ } v. i. [ L. balbutire, fr. balbus stammering: cf. F. balbutier. ] To stammer. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. (Med.) The defect of stammering; also, a kind of incomplete pronunciation. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A balcony. [ Obs. ] Pepys. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having balconies. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Balconies [ It. balcone; cf. It. balco, palco, scaffold, fr. OHG. balcho, palcho, beam, G. balken. See Balk beam. ] 1. (Arch.) A platform projecting from the wall of a building, usually resting on brackets or consoles, and inclosed by a parapet; as, a balcony in front of a window. Also, a projecting gallery in places of amusement; as, the balcony in a theater. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A projecting gallery once common at the stern of large ships. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ “The accent has shifted from the second to the first syllable within these twenty years.” Smart (1836). [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ OE. balled, ballid, perh. the p. p. of ball to reduce to the roundness or smoothness of a ball, by removing hair. √85. But cf. W. bali whiteness in a horse's forehead. ] 1. Destitute of the natural or common covering on the head or top, as of hair, feathers, foliage, trees, etc.; as, a bald head; a bald oak. [ 1913 Webster ]

On the bald top of an eminence. Wordsworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Destitute of ornament; unadorned; bare; literal. [ 1913 Webster ]

In the preface to his own bald translation. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Undisguised. “ Bald egotism.” Lowell. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Destitute of dignity or value; paltry; mean. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Bot.) Destitute of a beard or awn; as, bald wheat. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Zool.) (a) Destitute of the natural covering. (b) Marked with a white spot on the head; bald-faced. [ 1913 Webster ]

Bald buzzard (Zool.), the fishhawk or osprey. --
Bald coot (Zool.), a name of the European coot (Fulica atra), alluding to the bare patch on the front of the head. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ LL. baldachinus, baldechinus, a canopy of rich silk carried over the host; fr. Bagdad, It. Baldacco, a city in Turkish Asia from whence these rich silks came: cf. It. baldacchino. Cf. Baudekin. ] 1. A rich brocade; baudekin. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Arch.) A structure in form of a canopy, sometimes supported by columns, and sometimes suspended from the roof or projecting from the wall; generally placed over an altar; as, the baldachin in St. Peter's. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A portable canopy borne over shrines, etc., in procession. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ Written also baldachino, baldaquin, etc. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

(Zool.) The white-headed eagle (Haliæetus leucocephalus) of America. The young, until several years old, lack the white feathers on the head. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The bald eagle is represented in the coat of arms, and on the coins, of the United States. [ 1913 Webster ]

prop. n. [ Icel. Baldr, akin to E. bold. ] (Scan. Myth.) The most beautiful and beloved of the gods; the god of peace; the son of Odin and Freya. [ Written also Baldur. ] [ 1913 Webster ]