Where does “unbalance” come from?
Unbalance derives from English balance, which comes from Middle French balance, from Latin bilanx meaning a scale with two pans, from Latin bi- meaning two and Latin lanx meaning plate or pan.
unbalance (English): To cause to be out of balance
Definitions
- To cause to be out of balance
Ancestry of “unbalance”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | balance | A state in which opposing forces harmonise;... |
| 2 | Middle English | balaunce | A set of scales; a balance; The ensuring of... |
| 3 | Old French | balance | scales (weighing scales) |
| 4 | Late Latin | bilancia | — |
| 5 | Latin | bilanx | having two scales; a balance with two scalepans |
| 6 | Latin | bi- | having two parts; occurring twice |
| 7 | Ancient Greek | κύκλος | circle, ring; Any circular object, such as a... |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | kʷékʷlos | wheel; circle |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | kʷel- | to turn |