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Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Balancing

Balance \Bal"ance\ (b[a^]l"ans), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Balanced (b[a^]l"anst); p. pr. & vb. n. Balancing (b[a^]l"an*s[i^]ng).] [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.

Wiktionary
balancing

n. An action wherein someone balances or something is balanced vb. (present participle of balance lang= en)

WordNet
balancing

n. getting two things to correspond; "the reconciliation of his checkbook and the bank statement" [syn: reconciliation]

Wikipedia
Balancing (international relations)

The concept of balancing derives from the balance of power theory, the most influential theory from the realist school of thought, which assumes that a formation of hegemony in a multistate system is unattainable since hegemony is perceived as a threat by other states, causing them to engage in balancing against a potential hegemon.

Balancing encompasses the actions that a particular state or group of states take in order to equalise the odds against more powerful states; that is to make it more difficult and hence less likely for powerful states to exert their military advantage over the weaker ones.

According to the balance of power theory, states, motivated primarily by their desire for survival and security, will develop and implement military capabilities and hard power mechanisms in order to constrain the most powerful and rising state that can prove a potential threat. This idea illustrates the concept of internal balancing, which is opposed to external, under which states come together and form an alliance to balance and gain more leverage over a dominant or rising power. In recent years, soft-balancing has emerged as a new concept of illustrating how states balance powerful actors, which advocates the use of economic and diplomatic tools to constrain the most powerful state and inhibit their exertion of power and dominance.

Balancing (bridge)

In the game of contract bridge, balancing (or protection in Britain) refers to making a call other than Pass when passing would result in the opponents playing at a low level. Balancing is done by the player in the balancing position, i.e. to the right of the player making the last non-pass call. This is in contrast to bidding in the direct position, i.e. by the player to the left. Balancing is normally done with values unsuitable for direct action, but only after the opponents' bidding has demonstrated weakness or minimal strength. The aim of the tactic is to find a makeable or nearly-makeable contract for one's own side or to "push" opponents a level higher. It is more common in matchpoint games, where even a defeat and loss of 100 points is a relatively better result than the opponents' gain of 110-140 points.

Usage examples of "balancing".

After the establishment of these conditions, afferent impulses from the eyes, ears, skin, and other places, under the general direction of the cerebrum, may cause such actions as the balancing of the body, walking, etc.

And he recognised the beadle, holding under his arms and balancing against his stomach some twenty large sewn volumes.

The cartel considered him adequate for paying Smith his bribes, and for balancing the ledgers at that bordello I mentioned, but Moore found out that cartel headquarters in Prussia considered their man not cutthroat enough to handle the next phase of their plan to crush us.

When he had noted all its wonder--for to him it was a most marvellous thing made of a glittering stone such as he had never seen, that was thrice heavier than any stone, hafted with black bone as hard as walrus ivory with a knob at the end of it fashioned by rubbing down the knuckle joint, to save it from slipping through the hand, lashed about here and there with neatly finished strips of hide, double-edged and sharper than a flint flake, balancing in the grasp also--oh!

Barmaids scurried from table to table, balancing wooden steins on teetering trays, serving rowdy customers, fending passes, keeping up with the orders.

Ferdy was stretching his arms to balance his two hundred pounds of compact flab, teetering along the gangway like a circus elephant balancing on a tub.

Read the journal studies and client stories that I present regarding the need for healing hydration, saying no to alcohol, getting healing sleep to boost immune function, balancing hormones for energy and youthful looks, and destressing for longevity.

Even at this distance Kydd could see that the sailor was disdaining to cling on, instead balancing between the tiny footrope he stood on while leaning familiarly against the big spar.

Ung Lik Dy and the bulk of her weight centered over that back, balancing foot.

Once out of range, she set herself, feet perpendicular, right foot in front with her toes pointing the way to Ung Lik Dy and the bulk of her weight centered over that back, balancing foot.

The Treasury planetoid was continually balancing tendencies toward inflation and depression, and was not abetted by the fact that with such a multiplicity of worlds in the Oligarchic empire, there was simply no single substance rare enough to back the currency with.

Math lessons can spill over into English, a practicum such as filling out an income tax form or balancing a checkbook can be worked into government classes, and economics can be made to include family planning.

Balancing on one leg, she pulled on her Ragg socks, then tiptoed out of the room, carrying her boots and parka.

A lanky shadow fell across them, and Bram turned to see Smeth standing there, balancing a glass of punch and a plate of suncrisps and beanpuffs.

When the young boy, for instance, first mounts his new bicycle, he is unable, except with the most attentive effort and in a most laboured and awkward manner, either to keep his feet on the pedals, or make the handle-bars respond to the balancing of the wheel.