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Surplus vs Balance - What's the difference?

surplus | balance |

In context|legal|lang=en terms the difference between surplus and balance

is that surplus is (legal) assets left after liabilities and debts, including capital stock have been deducted while balance is (legal) the remainder.

As nouns the difference between surplus and balance

is that surplus is that which remains when use or need is satisfied, or when a limit is reached; excess; overplus while balance is (uncountable) a state in which opposing forces harmonise; equilibrium.

As an adjective surplus

is being or constituting a surplus; more than sufficient; as, surplus revenues; surplus population; surplus words.

As a verb balance is

to bring to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights.

surplus

English

Noun

(en-noun)
  • That which remains when use or need is satisfied, or when a limit is reached; excess; overplus.
  • Specifically, an amount in the public treasury at any time greater than is required for the ordinary purposes of the government.
  • (legal) The remainder of a fund appropriated for a particular purpose.
  • (legal) assets left after liabilities and debts, including capital stock have been deducted.
  • Antonyms

    * lack * deficit

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Being or constituting a surplus; more than sufficient; as, surplus revenues; surplus population; surplus words.
  • * {{quote-magazine, title=A better waterworks, date=2013-06-01, volume=407, issue=8838
  • , page=5 (Technology Quarterly), magazine=(The Economist) citation , passage=An artificial kidney these days still means a refrigerator-sized dialysis machine. Such devices mimic the way real kidneys cleanse blood and eject impurities and surplus water as urine.}}

    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) ----