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Balance vs Reconcile - What's the difference?

balance | reconcile |

As verbs the difference between balance and reconcile

is that balance is to bring to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights while reconcile is to restore a friendly relationship; to bring back to harmony.

As a noun balance

is a state in which opposing forces harmonise; equilibrium.

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

    See also

    * (versity) ----

    reconcile

    English

    (reconciliation)

    Verb

    (reconcil)
  • To restore a friendly relationship; to bring back to harmony.
    • to reconcile people who have quarrelled
  • To make things compatible or consistent.
    • to reconcile differences
  • * Alexander Pope
    • Some figures monstrous and misshaped appear, / Considered singly, or beheld too near; / Which, but proportioned to their light or place, / Due distance reconciles to form and grace.
  • * John Locke
    • The great men among the ancients understood how to reconcile manual labour with affairs of state.
  • To make the net difference in credits and debits of a financial account agree with the balance.

    • Derived terms

    * reconciliation