| Title | equilibrium |
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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary equi·lib·ri·um ETYMOLOGY Latin aequilibrium, from aequilibris being in equilibrium, from aequi- + libra weight, balance DATE 1608 1. a. a state of intellectual or emotional balance : poise trying to recover his equilibrium b. a state of adjustment between opposing or divergent influences or elements 2. a state of balance between opposing forces or actions that is either static (as in a body acted on by forces whose resultant is zero) or dynamic (as in a reversible chemical reaction when the rates of reaction in both directions are equal) 3. balance 6aEnglish Etymology equilibrium 1608, from L. æquilibrium, from æquus "equal" + libra "a balance, scale, plummet," of uncertain origin. Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 equilibrium equi·lib·rium / 7i:kwi5libriEm; 7ek- / noun[U, sing.] 1. a state of balance, especially between opposing forces or influences 平衡；均衡；均势: The point at which the solid and the liquid are in equilibrium is called the freezing point. 固体和液体的平衡点叫做冰点。 Any disturbance to the body's state of equilibrium can produce stress. 对身体平衡状态的任何干扰都可能产生压力。 We have achieved an equilibrium in the economy. 我们已在经济上达到平衡。 2. a calm state of mind and a balance of emotions (心情、情绪)平静,安宁；心理平衡: He sat down to try and recover his equilibrium. 他坐了下来,努力恢复平静。 Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Thesaurus-11th Edition n. Function: noun Synonyms: BALANCE 1, equipoise, poise, stasis Related Words: stabilization, steadiness, steadying; counterbalance, counterpoise Contrasted Words: top-heaviness Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged equi·lib·ri·um \ˌēkwəˈlibrēəm also ˌek-\ noun (plural equilibriums \-ēəmz\ ; or equilib·ria \-ēə\) Etymology: Latin aequilibrium, from aequilibris in equilibrium, from aequi- equi- + -libris (from libra pound, weight, balance) 1. : a state of balance between or among opposing forces or processes resulting in the absence of acceleration or the absence of net change: as a. : a state of static balance of a body or system acted upon by forces whose resultant is zero b. : a state of dynamic balance attained in a reversible chemical reaction when the velocities in both directions are equal c. : a state of dynamic balance (as of a liquid at the boiling point) in which two or more simultaneous opposing processes (as vaporization and condensation) proceed at the same rate and thereby cancel each other's effects d. : uniformity of temperature throughout a body or system e. : a state of a system in which no spontaneous change can take place, the temperature and pressure being the same throughout 2. a. : a state of adjustment between or among opposing or divergent elements < the introduction of a new and mighty force had disturbed the old equilibrium and had turned one limited monarchy after another into an absolute monarchy — T.B.Macaulay > b. : a state of intellectual or emotional balance: (1) : a state of equanimity : poise < he was speechless with anger and did not recover his equilibrium for a week — Sherwood Anderson > (2) : a state of doubt, indecision, or indifference resulting from the balancing of motives or reasons < freedom of thought has brought us to an equilibrium, a center of indifference, far removed from the whirl of continental anticlericalism — G.G.Coulton > (3) : a state of dynamic stability of mind or temper : tension < a certain internal equilibrium of impulsions … that mutually excite and reinforce one another — John Dewey > c. (1) : a condition in which opposing economic forces are so balanced that there is no tendency to change in one way or another (2) : a normative position toward which economic forces impel or about which fluctuations occur d. : a state of society characterized by a balance of antagonistic or noncomplementary elements (as attitudes, sentiments, and associations) and the stable operation of a common system of social norms e. : the normal oriented state of the animal body in respect to the substrate that represents automatic adjustment to changing spatial and gravitational relationships through the labyrinthine sense or through the equivalent static senses in lower forms 3. : balance 6a(1) < those constant miracles of precision and of exact equilibriumthat a first-class modern orchestra is capable of — Virgil Thomson > Synonyms: see balance |
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