Definition of "balance" []

• A weighing device, especially one consisting of a rigid beam horizontally suspended by a low-friction support at its center, with identical weighing pans hung at either end, one of which holds an unknown weight while the effective weight in the other is increased by known amounts until the beam is level and motionless. (noun)
• A state of equilibrium or parity characterized by cancellation of all forces by equal opposing forces. (noun)
• The power or means to decide. (noun)
• A state of bodily equilibrium: thrown off balance by a gust of wind. (noun)
• The ability to maintain bodily equilibrium: Gymnasts must have good balance. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "But while an act of self-control can restore the proper temper and balance to the mind when it is in danger, _the best way is to keep it so that it will not go off the balance_."
• "-- Update users balance update accounts a, bh_sessions p set a. balance = a. balance+ (copyA3_cost+copyA4_cost) + (printA4_cost+printA3_cost) where p. accountid = a. accountid and sessionstate = 'closed' and p. processed = 0 and p. guid = guid;"
• "With his invention of the term balance sheet deflation, Richard Koo of Nomura Research Institute has described such an economic trap in which credit stops growing, not because banks do not want to lend, but because companies and households do not want to borrow."