balance

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A state in which different parts or forces are equal or steady, so nothing tips over or dominates.

   It's important to find a balance between work and rest.

2. 2
   verb

   To keep or put something in a steady position so it does not fall.

   She balanced the tray of glasses carefully as she walked.

3. 3
   verb

   To give equal importance or attention to different things.

   He has to balance his studies with a part-time job.

4. 4
   verb

   To check that the money going in and out of an account is equal.

   She balances her bank account at the end of every month.

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Balance entered English in the Middle English period and originally denoted a set of weighing scales. It is based on late Latin bilanx, in the phrase libra bilanx, meaning a balance with two scale pans; bilanx combines bi-, “two,” with lanx, “scale pan.”

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *dwóh₁ Proto-Indo-European *dwi- Proto-Italic *dwi- Latin bi- Latin lanx Latin bilanx Vulgar Latin *bilancia Old French balancebor. Middle English balaunce English balance From Middle English balaunce, from Old French balance, from Late Latin *bilancia, from (accusative form of) Latin bilanx (“two-scaled”), from bi- + lanx (“plate, scale”). Displaced the word — Old English wǣġ akin to Modern English: wey from Proto-West Germanic *wāgu (“scales; weight”).

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External links

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• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary