Balance
/ˈbæl.əns/noun
A state of equilibrium or equal distribution of weight, amount, or importance.
Did you know?The concept of balance has deep ties to ancient alchemical practices, where it symbolized the harmony between opposing forces in nature.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰel-
“to swell, to be strong, or to have a strong force.”
Ancient Latin
Latin
balancia
“a pair of scales or balance, symbolizing weight measurement.”
Old French
Old French
balance
“scales used for weighing; a tool for measuring weight.”
Middle English
Middle English
balance
“a state of equilibrium or a weighing device.”
Modern English
English
balance
“the condition of having equal weight or force.”