Balance vs Plumb - What's the difference?
balance | plumb |
(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.
truly vertical, as indicated by a plumb line
(cricket) Describing an LBW where the batsman is hit on the pads directly in front of his wicket and should be given out.
In a vertical direction; perpendicularly.
* Milton
(informal) Squarely, directly; completely.
A little mass of lead, or the like, attached to a line, and used by builders, etc., to indicate a vertical direction.
(nautical) A weight on the end of a long line, used by sailors to determine the depth of water.
To determine the depth, generally of a liquid; to sound.
To attach to a water supply and drain.
To think about or explore in depth, to get to the bottom of, especially to plumb the depths of .
To use a plumb bob as a measuring or aligning tool.
To accurately align vertically or horizontally.
(dated) To seal something with lead.
To work as a plumber.
(rare) To fall or sink like a plummet.
(US, colloquial, figuratively, obsolete) To trace a road or track; to follow it to its end.
(nautical) To position vertically above or below.
As verbs the difference between balance and plumb
is that balance is while plumb is to determine the depth, generally of a liquid; to sound.As an adjective plumb is
truly vertical, as indicated by a plumb line.As an adverb plumb is
in a vertical direction; perpendicularly.As a noun plumb is
a little mass of lead, or the like, attached to a line, and used by builders, etc, to indicate a vertical direction.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.
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.}}
- 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.
Derived terms
* balanced * balance out * balance the booksSee also
* (versity) ----plumb
English
Adjective
(en adjective)Synonyms
* (truly vertical) perpendicularAdverb
(-)- Plumb down he falls.
- It hit him plumb in the middle of his face.
- Years ago the well plumb dried out, not a drop of water in there since.