Difference vs Balance - What's the difference?
difference | balance |
(uncountable) The quality of being different.
(countable) A characteristic of something that makes it different from something else.
* {{quote-magazine, title=Towards the end of poverty
, date=2013-06-01, volume=407, issue=8838, page=11, magazine=(The Economist)
(countable) A disagreement or argument.
* Shakespeare
* T. Ellwood
(countable, uncountable) Significant change in or effect on a situation or state.
* 1908 , (Kenneth Grahame), (The Wind in the Willows)
(countable) The result of a subtraction; sometimes the absolute value of this result.
(obsolete) Choice; preference.
* Spenser
(heraldry) An addition to a coat of arms to distinguish two people's bearings which would otherwise be the same. See augmentation and cadency.
(logic) The quality or attribute which is added to those of the genus to constitute a species; a differentia.
(logic circuits) A Boolean operation which is TRUE when the two input variables are different but is otherwise FALSE; the XOR operation ().
(relational algebra) the set of elements that are in one set but not another ().
To distinguish or differentiate.
(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
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
* {{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
(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.
(watchmaking) a device used to regulate the speed of a watch, clock etc.
(legal) the remainder.
(obsolete, astrology) Libra
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
To hold (an object or objects) precariously; to support on a narrow base, so as to keep from falling.
To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to estimate.
* L'Estrange
(dancing) To move toward, and then back from, reciprocally.
(nautical) To contract, as a sail, into a narrower compass.
To make the credits and debits of (an account) correspond.
* Addison
To be in equilibrium.
To have matching credits and debits.
As a noun difference
is difference.As a verb balance is
.difference
English
Noun
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- We have our little differences , but we are firm friends.
- What was the difference ? It was a contention in public.
- Away therefore went I with the constable, leaving the old warden and the young constable to compose their difference as they could.
- The line of the horizon was clear and hard against the sky, and in one particular quarter it showed black against a silvery climbing phosphorescence that grew and grew. At last, over the rim of the waiting earth the moon lifted with slow majesty till it swung clear of the horizon and rode off, free of moorings; and once more they began to see surfaces—meadows wide-spread, and quiet gardens, and the river itself from bank to bank, all softly disclosed, all washed clean of mystery and terror, all radiant again as by day, but with a difference that was tremendous.
- That now be chooseth with vile difference / To be a beast, and lack intelligence.
Synonyms
* (characteristic of something that makes it different from something else) departure, deviation, divergence * (disagreement or argument about something important) conflict, difference of opinion, dispute, dissension * (result of a subtraction) remainder * (significant change in state) nevermindAntonyms
* (quality of being different) identity, samenessDerived terms
* distinction without a difference * creative differences * difference engine * difference equation * difference gate * difference of two squares * goal difference * same difference * split the difference * spot the difference * tell the differenceSee also
* addition, summation: (augend) + (addend) = (summand) × (summand) = (sum, total) * subtraction: (minuend) ? (subtrahend) = (difference) * multiplication: (multiplier) × (multiplicand) = (factor) × (factor) = (product) * division: (dividend) ÷ (divisor) = (quotient), remainder left over if divisor does not divide dividendVerb
(differenc)- (en)
Synonyms
* (to distinguish or differentiate) differentiate, distinguishExternal links
* * ----balance
English
Alternative forms
* balaunce (obsolete)Noun
- These weights are used as a balance for the overhanging verandah.
- Blair thought he could provide a useful balance to Bush's policies.
- 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.
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- I just need to nip to a bank and check my balance .
- The balance of the agreement remains in effect.
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) accountAntonyms
* (equilibrium) nonequilibrium, imbalance, unbalance * (support for both viewpoints) bias, favor/favour, partiality, partisanship, prejudice, unfairnessDerived 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 balanceVerb
(balanc)- One expression must check and balance another.
- I balanced my mug of coffee on my knee.
- The circus performer balances a plate on the end of a baton.
- Balance the good and evil of things.
- to balance partners
- to balance the boom mainsail
- This final payment, or credit, balances the account.
- to balance a set of books
- I am very well satisfied that it is not in my power to balance accounts with my Maker.