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Webster 1913 Edition

Equilibrium

Eˊqui-lib′ri-um

,
Noun.
;
pl. E.
Equilibriums
(#)
, L.
Equilibria
(#)
.
[L.
aequilibrium
, fr.
aequilibris
in equilibrium, level;
aequus
equal +
libra
balance. See
Equal
, and
Librate
.]
1.
Equality of weight or force; an equipoise or a state of rest produced by the mutual counteraction of two or more forces.
2.
A level position; a just poise or balance in respect to an object, so that it remains firm; equipoise;
as, to preserve the
equilibrium
of the body
.
Health consists in the
equilibrium
between those two powers.
Arbuthnot.
3.
A balancing of the mind between motives or reasons, with consequent indecision and doubt.
Equilibrium valve
(Steam Engine)
,
a balanced valve. See under
Valve
.

Webster 1828 Edition

Equilibrium

EQUILIB'RIUM

,
Noun.
[L.] In mechanics, equipose; equality of weight; the state of the two ends of a lever or balance, when both are charged with equal weight, and they maintain an even or level position, parallel to the horizon.
1.
Equality of powers.
Health consists in the equilibrium between those two powers.
2.
Equal balancing of the mind between motives or reasons; a
state of indifference or of doubt, when the mind is suspended in indecision, between different motives, or the different forces of evidence.

Definition 2024

Equilibrium

Equilibrium

See also: equilibrium

German

Noun

Equilibrium n ‎(genitive Equilibrium, no plural)

  1. balance, equilibrium

Declension

Synonyms

Related terms

  • Äquilibrist
  • Äquilibristik
  • Equilibrist

equilibrium

equilibrium

See also: Equilibrium

English

Alternative forms

Noun

equilibrium ‎(plural equilibriums or equilibria)

  1. The condition of a system in which competing influences are balanced, resulting in no net change.
    • 1999, The Matrix, Agent Smith speech
      Every mammal on this planet instinctively develops a natural equilibrium with the surrounding environment but you humans do not. You move to an area and you multiply and multiply until every natural resource is consumed and the only way you can survive is to spread to another area. There is another organism on this planet that follows the same pattern. Do you know what it is? A virus.
  2. (physics) The state of a body at rest or in uniform motion in which the resultant of all forces on it is zero.
  3. (chemistry) The state of a reaction in which the rates of the forward and reverse reactions are the same.
  4. Mental balance.

Synonyms

  • (a condition of a system in which competing influences are balanced): balance, stability
  • (mental balance): sanity

Antonyms

Hypernyms

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

physics: state of a body at rest or in uniform motion in which the resultant of all forces on it is zero

References

  1. 1 2 3 “equilibrium” listed in the Oxford English Dictionary [2nd Ed.]

Etymology

From Latin æquilībrium, from æquus ‎(“equal”) + lībra ‎(“balance”).[1]

Pronunciation

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