Balance

An apparatus for weighing.

Act of weighing mentally; comparison; estimate.

Equipoise between the weights in opposite scales.

The state of being in equipoise; equilibrium; even adjustment; steadiness.

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 wheel, as of a watch, or clock. See Balance wheel (in the Vocabulary).

The constellation Libra.

The seventh sign in the Zodiac, called Libra, which the sun enters at the equinox in September.

A movement in dancing. See Balance, v. i., S.

To bring to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights; to weigh in a balance.

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.

To equal in number, weight, force, or proportion; to counterpoise, counterbalance, counteract, or neutralize.

To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to estimate.

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

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.

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.

To move toward, and then back from, reciprocally; as, to balance partners.

To contract, as a sail, into a narrower compass; as, to balance the boom mainsail.

To have equal weight on each side; to be in equipoise; as, the scales balance.

To fluctuate between motives which appear of equal force; to waver; to hesitate.

To move toward a person or couple, and then back.