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A rude balance for weighing, and a kind of weight, formerly used in England. Halliwell.

e three straight lines in which the coördinate planes intersect each other. -- Axis of a balance, that line about which it turns. -- Axis of oscillation, of a pendulum, a right line passing through the center about which it vibrates, and perpendicular to the plane of vibration. -- Axis of polarization, the central l…

nverting it in a cup containing mercury. The column of mercury in the tube descends until balanced by the weight of the atmosphere, and its rise or fall under varying conditions is a measure of the change in the atmospheric pressure. At the sea level its ordinary height is about 30 inches (760 millimeters). See Sympies…

the seesaw, in which one end rises as the other falls. Bascule bridge, a counterpoise or balanced drawbridge, which is opened by sinking the counterpoise and thus lifting the footway into the air.

The bar of a balance, from the ends of which the scales are suspended. The doubtful beam long nods from side to side. Pope.

Two-threaded; involving the use of two threads; as, bifilar suspension; a bifilar balance. Bifilar micrometer (often called a bifilar), an instrument form measuring minute distances or angles by means of two very minute threads (usually spider lines), one of which, at least, is movable; -- more commonly called a filar…

es of radiant heat, especially in different parts of the spectrum; -- called also actinic balance, thermic balance. S. P. Langley.

tone's bridge (Elec.), a device for the measurement of resistances, so called because the balance between the resistances to be measured is indicated by the absence of a current in a certain wire forming a bridge or connection between two points of the apparatus; -- invented by Sir Charles Wheatstone.…

To turn (the balance or scale); to overbalance; hence, to make preponderate; to decide; as, a casting voice. How much interest casts the balance in cases dubious! South.

e governor had the casting voice." B. Trumbull. -- Casting weight, a weight that turns a balance when exactly poised.

of which the larger coins and bank bills are made available in small dealings; hence, the balance returned when payment is tendered by a coin or note exceeding the sum due.

in slits or chinks; to split; to cause the skin of to crack or become rough. Then would unbalanced heat licentious reign, Crack the dry hill, and chap the russet plain. Blackmore. Nor winter's blast chap her fair face. Lyly.

A portable timekeeper, with a heavy compensation balance, and usually beating half seconds; -- intended to keep time with great accuracy for use an astronomical observations, in determining longitude, etc.

osition or condition; situated. The proposition is, that two bodies so circumstanced will balance each other. Whewell.

To make exchanges of checks and bills, and settle balances, as is done in a clearing house.

The gross amount of the balances adjusted in the clearing house. Clearing house, the establishment where the business of clearing is carried on. See above, 3.

Nearly equal; almost evenly balanced; as, a close vote. "A close contest." Prescott.

The indicator of a balance. Johnson.

rounded or pointed top of a grinding mill spindle, forming a pivot on which the stone is balanced.

he loss of present advantage to flesh and blood is repaid in a nobler coin. Hammond. Coin balance. See Illust. of Balance. -- To pay one in his own coin, to return to one the same kind of injury or ill treatment as has been received from him. [Colloq.]