ˌēkwəˈlibrēəm also ˌek- noun
( plural equilibriums -ēəmz ; or equilib·ria -ēə)
Etymology: Latin aequilibrium, from aequilibris in equilibrium, from aequi- equi- + -libris (from libra pound, weight, balance)
1. : a state of balance between or among opposing forces or processes resulting in the absence of acceleration or the absence of net change: as
a. : a state of static balance of a body or system acted upon by forces whose resultant is zero
b. : a state of dynamic balance attained in a reversible chemical reaction when the velocities in both directions are equal
c. : a state of dynamic balance (as of a liquid at the boiling point) in which two or more simultaneous opposing processes (as vaporization and condensation) proceed at the same rate and thereby cancel each other's effects
d. : uniformity of temperature throughout a body or system
e. : a state of a system in which no spontaneous change can take place, the temperature and pressure being the same throughout
2.
a. : a state of adjustment between or among opposing or divergent elements
the introduction of a new and mighty force had disturbed the old equilibrium and had turned one limited monarchy after another into an absolute monarchy — T.B.Macaulay
b. : a state of intellectual or emotional balance:
(1) : a state of equanimity : poise
he was speechless with anger and did not recover his equilibrium for a week — Sherwood Anderson
(2) : a state of doubt, indecision, or indifference resulting from the balancing of motives or reasons
freedom of thought has brought us to an equilibrium , a center of indifference, far removed from the whirl of continental anticlericalism — G.G.Coulton
(3) : a state of dynamic stability of mind or temper : tension
a certain internal equilibrium of impulsions … that mutually excite and reinforce one another — John Dewey
c.
(1) : a condition in which opposing economic forces are so balanced that there is no tendency to change in one way or another
(2) : a normative position toward which economic forces impel or about which fluctuations occur
d. : a state of society characterized by a balance of antagonistic or noncomplementary elements (as attitudes, sentiments, and associations) and the stable operation of a common system of social norms
e. : the normal oriented state of the animal body in respect to the substrate that represents automatic adjustment to changing spatial and gravitational relationships through the labyrinthine sense or through the equivalent static senses in lower forms
3. : balance 6a(1)
those constant miracles of precision and of exact equilibrium that a first-class modern orchestra is capable of — Virgil Thomson
Synonyms: see balance