altruism Noun
( en noun)
Regard for others, both natural and moral without regard for oneself; devotion to the interests of others; brotherly kindness; selflessness; contrasted with egoism or selfishness .
*, chapter=16
, title= The Mirror and the Lamp
, passage=The preposterous altruism too!
* 1995 , George E. Vaillant, The Wisdom of the Ego , page 68 ,
- Altruism' allows doing for others as one would be done by. Unlike reaction formation, which also gives to the object what the self desires, '''altruism''' leaves the self at least partly gratified. Unlike reaction formation, '''altruism''' tempers asceticism with pleasure. Unlike passive aggression and martyrdom, '''altruism''' allows the object to feel blessed and not afflicted. ' Altruism attracts people to the user; martyrdom repels them even as it holds them close in chains.
(biology, sociobiology) Action or behaviour that benefits another or others at some cost to the performer.
* 2013 December 24, Laura Spinney, Goodwill hunting: Random ants of kindness '', ''(New Scientist) ,
- Altruism' is a behaviour of an individual that benefits another at its own expense.Being nice to relatives is not pure ' altruism because they share your genes so, by helping them, you promote your own genetic heritage.
Synonyms
* (regard for others) philanthropy
* (action benefiting others at cost to oneself) philanthropy
Antonyms
* (regard for others) egoism, misanthropy (hatred of human race), selfishness
Related terms
* altruist
* altruistic
See also
* agape (spiritual love for others)
* bell the cat
* brotherly love
* misandry (hatred of males)
* misogyny (hatred of females)
* selflessness
External links
*
*
References
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balance English
Alternative forms
* balaunce (obsolete)
Noun
(uncountable) a state in which opposing forces harmonise; equilibrium
(uncountable) mental equilibrium; mental health; calmness, a state of remaining clear-headed and unperturbed
something of equal weight used to provide equilibrium (literally or figuratively); counterweight
- These weights are used as a balance for the overhanging verandah.
- Blair thought he could provide a useful balance to Bush's policies.
a pair of scales
(uncountable) awareness of both viewpoints or matters; neutrality; rationality; objectivity
(uncountable) the overall result of conflicting forces, opinions etc.; the influence which ultimately "weighs" more than others
- The balance of power finally lay with the Royalist forces.
- I think the balance of opinion is that we should get out while we're ahead.
* {{quote-news, year=2012
, date=April 19
, author=Josh Halliday
, title=Free speech haven or lawless cesspool – can the internet be civilised?
, work=the Guardian
citation
, page=
, passage=The shift in the balance of power online has allowed anyone to publish to the world, from dispirited teenagers in south London to an anonymous cyber-dissident in a Middle East autocracy.}}
(uncountable) apparent harmony in art (between differing colours, sounds, etc.)
(accounting) a list accounting for the debits on one side, and for the credits on the other.
(accounting) the result of such a procedure; the difference between credit and debit of an account.
- I just need to nip to a bank and check my balance .
(watchmaking) a device used to regulate the speed of a watch, clock etc.
(legal) the remainder.
- The balance of the agreement remains in effect.
(obsolete, astrology) Libra
Synonyms
* (scales) pair of scales, scales, weighing machine, weighbridge (for vehicles)
* (equilibrium) equilibrium
* (support for both viewpoints) disinterest, even-handedness, fairness, impartiality, neutrality, nonpartisanship
* (list of credits and debits) account
Antonyms
* (equilibrium) nonequilibrium, imbalance, unbalance
* (support for both viewpoints) bias, favor/favour, partiality, partisanship, prejudice, unfairness
Derived terms
; Accounting:
* adjusted trial balance
* analytical balance
* balance of payments
* balance sheet
* balanced scorecard
* closing balance
* comparative balance sheet
* trial balance
* opening balance
; Other:
* balance beam
* balance of nature
* balance of power
* balance of trade
* balance wheel
* balancing act
* chemical balance
* hang in the balance
* in the balance
* keep one's balance
* lose one's balance
* off balance
* on balance
* strike a balance
* throw off balance
Verb
( balanc)
To bring to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights.
To make (items) weigh up.
(figurative) To make (concepts) agree.
* Kent
- One expression must check and balance another.
To hold (an object or objects) precariously; to support on a narrow base, so as to keep from falling.
- I balanced my mug of coffee on my knee.
- The circus performer balances a plate on the end of a baton.
To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to estimate.
* L'Estrange
- Balance the good and evil of things.
(dancing) To move toward, and then back from, reciprocally.
- to balance partners
(nautical) To contract, as a sail, into a narrower compass.
- to balance the boom mainsail
To make the credits and debits of (an account) correspond.
- This final payment, or credit, balances the account.
- to balance a set of books
* Addison
- I am very well satisfied that it is not in my power to balance accounts with my Maker.
To be in equilibrium.
To have matching credits and debits.
Derived terms
* balanced
* balance out
* balance the books
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