balances

noun

(uncountable) A state in which opposing forces harmonise; equilibrium.

(uncountable) Mental equilibrium; mental health; calmness, a state of remaining clear-headed and unperturbed.

(literally or figuratively) Something of equal weight used to provide equilibrium; counterweight.

A pair of scales.

(uncountable) Awareness of both viewpoints or matters; neutrality; rationality; objectivity.

(uncountable) The overall result of conflicting forces, opinions etc.; the influence which ultimately "weighs" more than others.

(uncountable) Apparent harmony in art (between differing colours, sounds, etc.).

(accounting) A list accounting for the debits on one side, and for the credits on the other.

(accounting) The result of such a procedure; the difference between credit and debit of an account.

(watchmaking) A device used to regulate the speed of a watch, clock etc.

(law, business, statistics) The remainder.

(obsolete, astrology) Libra.

verb

(transitive) To bring (items) to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights.

(transitive, figurative) To make (concepts) agree.

(transitive) To hold (an object or objects) precariously; to support on a narrow base, so as to keep from falling.

(transitive) To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to estimate.

(transitive, dance) To move toward, and then back from, reciprocally.

(nautical) To contract, as a sail, into a narrower compass.

(transitive) To make the credits and debits of (an account) correspond.

(intransitive) To be in equilibrium.

(intransitive) To have matching credits and debits.

(transitive, obsolete) To weigh in a balance.

(intransitive, obsolete) To hesitate or fluctuate.

Roots

librabal- · Latin · scales, balance bisba- · Latin · twice, two

Synonyms & related words for balances

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Words related to balances

Explore words related to balances — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include equipoise, equilibrium, equilibrate, libratory, microbalance, equilibrant, counterbalance, counterpoise. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Where does balances come from?

The word balances breaks down into 2 roots of Latin origin: bal-, from Latin libra (“scales, balance”); and ba-, from Latin bis (“twice, two”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.