balance

scales

noun bah-LAHNS Rare

Also means

balance (equilibrium)

Usage Note

balance (feminine) refers to weighing scales or a balance. As la Balance, it is also the zodiac sign Libra. The verb balancer in informal speech means 'to throw' or 'to denounce someone', which is quite different from the noun. The abstract sense of equilibrium is usually expressed with équilibre rather than balance.

Examples

"Elle pose le paquet sur la balance."

Natural Translation

She places the package on the scales.

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