■ noun
1》 an even distribution of weight ensuring stability.
↘ Sailing the ability of a boat to stay on course without adjustment of the rudder.
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 central pivot, beam, and two scales.
5》 a counteracting weight or force.
↘(also ~ wheel ) the regulating device in a clock or watch.
6》 a predominating amount; a preponderance: the ~ of opinion was that work was important.
7》 a figure representing the amount of money held in an account: his bank ~.
↘the difference between an amount due and an amount paid.
■ verb
1》 be or put in a steady position.
2》 offset or compare the value of (one thing) with another.
↘[often as adjective ~d ] establish equal or appropriate proportions of elements in: a ~d diet.
3》 compare debits and credits in (an account) to ensure that they are equal.
Phrases
~ of payments the difference in total value between payments into and out of a country over a period.
~ of power
1》 a situation in which states of the world have roughly equal power.
2》 the power held by a small group when larger groups are of equal strength.
~ of trade the difference in value between a country's imports and exports.
be (or hang ) in the ~ be in an uncertain or critical state.
on ~ when all factors are taken into consideration.
throw (or catch ) someone off ~ make someone unsteady or catch someone unawares.
Derivatives
~r noun
Origin
ME: from OFr. ~ (n.), ~r (v.), based on late L. (libra) bilanx '(~) having two scale-pans'.