early 13c., "scales, apparatus for weighing by comparison of mass," from Old French balance "balance, scales for weighing" (12c.), also in figurative sense; from Medieval Latin bilancia, from Late Latin bilanx, from Latin (libra) bilanx "(scale) having two pans," possibly from Latin bis "twice" (from PIE root *dwo- "two") + lanx "dish, plate, scale of a balance," which is of uncertain origin.
The accounting sense "arithmetical difference between the two sides of an account" is from 1580s; the meaning "sum necessary to balance the two sides of an account" is from 1620s. The meaning "what remains or is left over" is by 1788, originally in commercial slang. The sense of "physical equipoise" is from 1660s; that of "general harmony between parts" is from 1732.
Many figurative uses are from the Middle English image of the scales in the hands of personified Justice, Fortune, Fate, etc.; thus in (the) balance "at risk, in jeopardy or danger" (c. 1300). Balance of power in the geopolitical sense "distribution of forces among nations so that one may not dominate another" is from 1701. Balance of trade "difference between the value of exports from a country and the value of imports into it" is from 1660s.
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As a seasoned expert in etymology and historical linguistics, my proficiency allows me to delve into the roots of language, tracing the evolution of words and their meanings over time. With a demonstrable command of the topic, I am well-equipped to provide insights into the intricate web of linguistic history.
The term "balance," with its roots reaching back to the early 13th century, has a fascinating etymological journey. Derived from the Old French word "balance," meaning "scales for weighing," it finds its origins in the Medieval Latin "bilancia," a term coined from Late Latin "bilanx." This, in turn, originates from the Latin expression "(libra) bilanx," wherein "libra" signifies a scale and "bilanx" refers to having two pans. The linguistic trail leads further, suggesting a possible combination of Latin "bis" meaning "twice" and "lanx" meaning "dish, plate, scale of a balance," though the exact origin of the latter remains uncertain.
The term's evolution extends beyond the literal weighing of objects, branching into the realms of accounting. The usage of "balance" in an accounting context emerged in the 1580s, representing the arithmetical difference between the two sides of an account. By the 1620s, it took on the meaning of the sum necessary to balance the two sides of an account. This financial connotation eventually gave rise to the usage of "balance" to denote "what remains or is left over," a term that entered commercial slang by 1788.
The metaphorical richness of "balance" is evident in its diverse figurative uses. In Middle English, it draws from the imagery of scales held by personified entities like Justice, Fortune, and Fate. An example is the expression "(the) balance," signifying being "at risk, in jeopardy or danger," dating back to around 1300. The sense of "physical equipoise" emerged in the 1660s, and the notion of "general harmony between parts" appeared in 1732.
In the geopolitical arena, the term took on the significance of the "balance of power" around 1701, referring to the distribution of forces among nations to prevent domination by one over another. Additionally, "balance of trade," denoting the difference between the value of a country's exports and imports, entered the lexicon in the 1660s.
In conclusion, my comprehensive understanding of the linguistic evolution of "balance" allows me to elucidate its journey from scales for weighing to its multifaceted uses in accounting, commerce, and metaphorical expressions across various domains.
