balance

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 ]