From WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003) [wn]:
balanced
adj 1: being in a state of proper balance or equilibrium; "the
carefully balanced seesaw"; "a properly balanced
symphony orchestra"; "a balanced assessment of
intellectual and cultural history"; "a balanced blend
of whiskeys"; "the educated man shows a balanced
development of all his powers" [ant: unbalanced]
2: total debits and credits are equal; "the books looked
balanced"
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Balance \Bal"ance\ (b[a^]l"ans), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Balanced
(b[a^]l"anst); p. pr. & vb. n. Balancing
(b[a^]l"an*s[i^]ng).] [From Balance, n.: cf. F. balancer.]
1. To bring to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by
adjusting the weights; to weigh in a balance.
[1913 Webster]
2. To support on a narrow base, so as to keep from falling;
as, to balance a plate on the end of a cane; to balance
one's self on a tight rope.
[1913 Webster]
3. To equal in number, weight, force, or proportion; to
counterpoise, counterbalance, counteract, or neutralize.
[1913 Webster]
One expression . . . must check and balance another.
--Kent.
[1913 Webster]
4. To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to
estimate.
[1913 Webster]
Balance the good and evil of things. --L'Estrange.
[1913 Webster]
5. To settle and adjust, as an account; to make two accounts
equal by paying the difference between them.
[1913 Webster]
I am very well satisfied that it is not in my power
to balance accounts with my Maker. --Addison.
[1913 Webster]
6. To make the sums of the debits and credits of an account
equal; -- said of an item; as, this payment, or credit,
balances the account.
[1913 Webster]
7. To arrange accounts in such a way that the sum total of
the debits is equal to the sum total of the credits; as,
to balance a set of books.
[1913 Webster]
8. (Dancing) To move toward, and then back from,
reciprocally; as, to balance partners.
[1913 Webster]
9. (Naut.) To contract, as a sail, into a narrower compass;
as, to balance the boom mainsail.
[1913 Webster]
Balanced valve. See Balance valve, under Balance, n.
[1913 Webster]
Syn: To poise; weigh; adjust; counteract; neutralize;
equalize.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
balanced \bal"anced\ adj.
being in a state of proper balance or equilibrium; --
opposite of unbalanced. the carefully balanced seesaw a
properly balanced symphony orchestra a balanced assessment of
intellectual and cultural history a balanced blend of
whiskeys the educated man shows a balanced development of all
his powers [Narrower terms: {counterbalanced,
counter-balanced, counterpoised}; well-balanced; poised]
[Related terms: stable --- (maintaining equilibrium)]
[WordNet 1.5]