Where does “balance” come from?
Balance comes from Middle English balaunce, from Middle French balance, from Latin bilanx, literally "two-scaled," from bi- meaning "two" and lanx meaning "scale or plate."
balance (English): A state in which opposing forces harmonise;...
Definitions
- A state in which opposing forces harmonise;...
Ancestry of “balance”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Middle English | balaunce | A set of scales; a balance; The ensuring of... |
| 2 | Old French | balance | — |
| 3 | Late Latin | bilancia | — |
| 4 | Latin | bilanx | having two scales; a balance with two scalepans |
| 5 | Latin | bi- | having two parts; occurring twice |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | κύκλος | circle, ring; Any circular object, such as a... |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | kʷékʷlos | wheel; circle |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | kʷel- | to turn |
Words derived from “balance”