Blackw. Mag.
Balachong
(||Bal"a*chong) n. [Malay balachan.] A condiment formed of small fishes or shrimps, pounded
up with salt and spices, and then dried. It is much esteemed in China.
Balænoidea
(||Bal`æ*noi"de*a) n. [NL., from L. balaena whale + -oid.] (Zoöl) A division of the Cetacea,
including the right whale and all other whales having the mouth fringed with baleen. See Baleen.
Balance
(Bal"ance) n. [OE. balaunce, F. balance, fr. L. bilanx, bilancis, having two scales; bis twice
(akin to E. two) + lanx plate, scale.]
1. An apparatus for weighing.
In its simplest form, a balance consists of a beam or lever supported exactly in the middle, having two
scales or basins of equal weight suspended from its extremities. Another form is that of the Roman
balance, our steelyard, consisting of a lever or beam, suspended near one of its extremities, on the
longer arm of which a counterpoise slides. The name is also given to other forms of apparatus for weighing
bodies, as to the combinations of levers making up platform scales; and even to devices for weighing by
the elasticity of a spring.
2. Act of weighing mentally; comparison; estimate.
A fair balance of the advantages on either side.
Atterbury.
3. Equipoise between the weights in opposite scales.
4. The state of being in equipoise; equilibrium; even adjustment; steadiness.
And hung a bottle on each side
To make his balance true.
Cowper.
The order and balance of the country were destroyed.
Buckle.
English workmen completely lose their balance.
J. S. Mill.
5. 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. "A balance at the banker's."
Thackeray.
I still think the balance of probabilities leans towards the account given in the text.
J. Peile.
6. (Horol.) A balance wheel, as of a watch, or clock. See Balance wheel
7. (Astron.) (a) The constellation Libra. (b) The seventh sign in the Zodiac, called Libra, which the
sun enters at the equinox in September.
8. A movement in dancing. See Balance, v. t., 8.
Balance electrometer, a kind of balance, with a poised beam, which indicates, by weights suspended
from one arm, the mutual attraction of oppositely electrified surfaces. Knight. — Balance fish. (Zoöl)
See Hammerhead. — Balance knife, a carving or table knife the handle of which overbalances the
blade, and so keeps it from contact with the table. — Balance of power (Politics), such an adjustment
of power among sovereign states that no one state is in a position to interfere with the independence of
