balance*/*/

balance*/*/
[ˈbæləns] noun I
1) [U] the ability to remain steady in an upright position
He lost his balance and tipped backwards in the chair.[/ex]
Ted kept pulling my arm, throwing me off balance.[/ex]
2) [C/U] a situation in which different aspects or features are treated equally or exist in the correct relationship to each other
A healthy diet is about getting the correct balance of a variety of foods.[/ex]
We're trying to strike a balance between fun and learning.[/ex]
3) [C] the amount of money in a bank account or remaining to be paid for something
4) [singular] the majority of information, opinions, or facts
The balance of public opinion was against the proposal.[/ex]
See:
tip II
5) [U] mental or emotional calm
She quickly recovered her balance after the outburst.[/ex]
•
balance of payments — the difference between the amount of money that a country pays to foreign countries and the amount it receives from them[/ex]
balance of power — the way in which military or political power is divided between countries or groups[/ex]
be/hang in the balance — if something is in the balance, you do not know whether it will succeed or fail[/ex]
on balance — after thinking about all the relevant facts[/ex]
On balance, I think we made the right decision.[/ex]
II
verb
balance */[ˈbæləns]
1) [I] to keep your body steady without falling over, or to put something in a steady position so that it does not fall
We had to balance our plates on our knees.[/ex]
2) [T] to create or preserve a good or correct balance between different features or aspects
We have to balance the needs and tastes of all our customers.[/ex]
There is a need to balance the demands of the workplace with those of family life.[/ex]
•
balance the budget / books — to make sure that you do not spend more money than you receive[/ex]

Dictionary for writing and speaking English. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Balance — (de) …   Kölsch Dialekt Lexikon

  • 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. [1913 Webster] Note: In its simplest form, a balance consists of a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • balance — BALANCE. s. f. Instrument dont on se sert pour peser, composé de deux bassins de même poids, suspendus à un fléau. Balance juste. Fausse balance. Les bassins, les plats d une balance. La languette d une balance. Le fléau d une balance. Tenir la… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie Française 1798

  • balance — BALANCE. subst. f. Instrument à deux bassins servant à peser. Balance juste. fausse balance. les bassins de la balance. la languette de la balance. le fleau de la balance. tenir la balance juste. faire pencher la balance. On dit que, Le poids… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • Balance — Bal ance (b[a^]l ans), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Balanced} (b[a^]l anst); p. pr. & vb. n. {Balancing} (b[a^]l an*s[i^]ng).] [From {Balance}, n.: cf. F. balancer.] 1. To bring to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights; to… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • balance — 1. The noun is about four centuries older than the verb, and has derived several figurative uses from its primary meaning of ‘an apparatus for weighing’, as for example in accounting (where the notion of balancing the books is ever present) and… …   Modern English usage

  • balance — ► NOUN 1) an even distribution of weight ensuring stability. 2) mental or emotional stability. 3) a condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions. 4) an apparatus for weighing, especially one with a beam and… …   English terms dictionary

  • Balance — bezeichnet: Gleichgewicht (Physik), ein Gleichgewicht von entgegenwirkenden Kräften oder Aspekten oder einen Zustand der Ausgewogenheit Ausgeglichenheit Eigenschaften einer Datenstruktur; siehe Balancierter Baum Balance (Magazin), ein von der… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Balance — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Balance puede referirse a: Balance (contabilidad), informe financiero que refleja la situación del patrimonio de una entidad en un momento determinado. Balance hídrico, el equilibrio entre todos los recursos hídricos …   Wikipedia Español

  • balance — n 1 Balance, equilibrium, equipoise, poise, tension are comparable when denoting the stability or efficiency resulting from the equalization or exact adjustment of opposing forces. Balance suggests a steadiness that results when all parts are… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • balance — or Balance [bal′əns] n. [ME & OFr, prob. via ML < VL * bilancia < LL bilanx, having two scales < L bis, twice + lanx, a dish, scale < IE * elek , extended stem of base * el , to bend > ELBOW] 1. an instrument for weighing, esp. one …   English World dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”