the others; international equilibrium; also, the ability (of a state or a third party within a state) to control
the relations between sovereign states or between dominant parties in a state. — Balance sheet (Bookkeeping),
a paper showing the balances of the open accounts of a business, the debit and credit balances
footing up equally, if the system of accounts be complete and the balances correctly taken. — Balance
thermometer, a thermometer mounted as a balance so that the movement of the mercurial column
changes the inclination of the tube. With the aid of electrical or mechanical devices adapted to it, it is
used for the automatic regulation of the temperature of rooms warmed artificially, and as a fire alarm.
— Balance of torsion. See Torsion Balance. — Balance of trade (Pol. Econ.), an equilibrium
between the money values of the exports and imports of a country; or more commonly, the amount required
on one side or the other to make such an equilibrium. — Balance valve, a valve whose surfaces are
so arranged that the fluid pressure tending to seat, and that tending to unseat, the valve, are nearly
in equilibrium; esp., a puppet valve which is made to operate easily by the admission of steam to both
sides. See Puppet valve. — Hydrostatic balance. See under Hydrostatic. — To lay in balance,
to put up as a pledge or security. [Obs.] Chaucer. — To strike a balance, to find out the difference
between the debit and credit sides of an account.
Balance
(Bal"ance) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Balanced ; p. pr. & vb. n. Balancing ] [From Balance, n.: cf.
F. balancer.]
1. To bring to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights; to weigh in a balance.
2. 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.
3. To equal in number, weight, force, or proportion; to counterpoise, counterbalance, counteract, or neutralize.
One expression . . . must check and balance another.
Kent.
4. To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to estimate.
Balance the good and evil of things.
L'Estrange.
5. To settle and adjust, as an account; to make two accounts equal by paying the difference between
them.
I am very well satisfied that it is not in my power to balance accounts with my Maker.
Addison.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. (Dancing) To move toward, and then back from, reciprocally; as, to balance partners.
9. (Naut.) To contract, as a sail, into a narrower compass; as, to balance the boom mainsail.
Balanced valve. See Balance valve, under Balance, n.
Syn. — To poise; weigh; adjust; counteract; neutralize; equalize.
Balance
(Bal"ance), v. i.
1. To have equal weight on each side; to be in equipoise; as, the scales balance.
