Balance

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Balance

(n.) An apparatus for weighing.
(n.) Act of weighing mentally; comparison; estimate.
(n.) Equipoise between the weights in opposite scales.
(n.) The state of being in equipoise; equilibrium; even adjustment; steadiness.
(n.) 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.
(n.) A balance wheel, as of a watch, or clock. See wheel (in the Vocabulary).
(n.) The constellation Libra.
(n.) The seventh sign in the Zodiac, called Libra, which the sun enters at the equinox in September.
(n.) A movement in dancing. See Balance, v. i., S.
(n.) To bring to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights; to weigh in a balance.
(n.) 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.
(n.) To equal in number, weight, force, or proportion; to counterpoise, counterbalance, counteract, or neutralize.
(n.) To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to estimate.
(n.) To settle and adjust, as an account; to make two accounts equal by paying the difference between them.
(n.) 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.
(n.) 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.
(n.) To move toward, and then back from, reciprocally; as, to balance partners.
(n.) To contract, as a sail, into a narrower compass; as, to balance the boom mainsail.
(v. i.) To have equal weight on each side; to be in equipoise; as, the scales balance.
(v. i.) To fluctuate between motives which appear of equal force; to waver; to hesitate.
(v. i.) To move toward a person or couple, and then back.