balance
n
1 [C] instrument used for weighing, with a central pivot, a beam and two scales or pans 天平; 秤. => illus at scale3 見scale3之插圖.
2 [U]
(a) even distribution of weight; steadiness 平衡; 平穩
Riders need a good sense of balance. 騎車的人必須善 於保持平衡.
(b) steadiness of mind; sanity 心境的平穩; 心智健全
His wife's sudden death upset the balance ofhis mind. 他妻子突然去世, 他感到六神無主.
3 [U, sing]
(a) ~ (in sth/between A and B) condition that exists when two opposites are equal or in correct proportions 均衡狀態; 均勢
Try to achieve a better balance between work and play. 爭?quot;壓ぷ骱陀槔指玫亟岷掀鵠?
This newspaper maintains a good balance in its presentation of different opinions. 這家報紙刊登不同意見始終做到不偏不倚.
(b) pleasing proportion of parts in a whole 諧調; 勻稱
All the parts of the building are in perfect balance. 建筑物的各部分都顯得非常勻稱.
This painting has a pleasing balance of shapes and colours. 這幅畫在構圖和色彩方面都十分諧調.
4 [C usu sing 通常作單數]
(finance 財) difference between two columns of an account, ie money received or owing and money spent or owed 收支差額; 余額
I must check my bank balance, ie find out how much money I have in my account. 我要核對一下我在銀行的余額（看我的帳戶上有多少錢）.
5
(a) [C usu sing 通常作單數]
amount (of money) still owed after some payment has been made 余欠之（錢）數
The balance (of 500) will be paid within one week. 余欠之數（500英鎊）將於一周內付清.
(b) the balance [sing]
remainder of sth after part has already been used, taken, etc 剩余
The balance of your order will be supplied when we receive fresh stock. 貴方所訂購貨物之其余部分, 一俟我方進貨即可供應.
When will you take the balance of your annual leave? 你打算什麼時候使用剩余的年假? =>Usage at rest3 用法見 rest3.6 (idm 習語) (be/hang) in the balance (of a decision, result, sb's future, etc) (be) uncertain or undecided （指決定、結果、某人的未來等）不能確定的, 尚未決定的
The future of this project is (hanging) in the balance. 這項目的下一步仍.
balance v
1
(a) [Tn, Tn.pr]
keep or put (sth) in a state of balance1(2a) 使（某物）保持平衡
a clown balancing a stick on the end of his nose 在鼻尖上立著棍子使之保持平衡的丑角.
(b) [I, Ipr] be or put oneself in a state of balance 使自己保持平衡
He balanced precariously on the narrow window-ledge. 他在狹窄的窗臺上很難保持平衡.
How long can you balance on one foot? 你能單腳站立多久?
2 (finance 財)
(a) [Tn] compare the total debits and credits in (an account) and record the sum needed to make them equal 結算
balance an account/one's books 結帳
balance the budget, ie arrange for income and expenditure to be equal 平衡預算（使收支相抵）.
(b) [I] (of an account, a balance sheet, etc) show equal totals of debits and credits （指帳目、資產負債表等）顯示借貸相抵（收支平衡）
Do the firm's accounts balance? 這家公司的帳目收支是否平衡?
(c) [Tn] be of the same value as (sth opposite); offset 與（某對比事物）等價; 抵銷
This year's profits will balance our previous losses. 本年度的盈利將與上一年度的虧損相抵.
(fig 比喻) His lack of experience was balanced by his willingness to learn. 他悉心好學彌補了經驗不足.
3 [Tn.pr] ~ A against B compare the value of one plan, argument, etc with that of another 將此一計劃、主張等與彼一計劃、主張等作價值上的比較; 權衡二者之利弊
She balanced the attractions o...
*['b?l?ns]n. 平衡, 差額vi. 平衡, 相等vt. 稱, 權衡, 比較, 使平衡, 結算, 抵消【化】 天平【醫】 平衡, 天平【經】 差額, 余額, 結余相關詞組: to hold the balance to keep one's balance to lose one's balance to redress the balance to strike a balance to throw sb off his balance to tremble in the balance on balance be out of balance