balance (subs.) Copy link Outline I. A pair of scales1. libra2. trŭtĭnaII. Equipoise1. libra2. librāmen, librāmentum3. pondus, ĕris, n.4. compensātĭo (only fig.)III. The difference between two sums (in book-keeping) • balance (subs.): I. A pair of scales: 1. libra: in one scale of the b. he placed mental advantages, in the other, corporeal, in alteram librae lancem animi bona imposuit, in alteram corporis, Cic. Fig.: the b. of a hesitating mind, animi cunctantis libra, Claud. 2. trŭtĭna: Varr.: Vitr. Fig.: the Roman writers are weighed in the same b., Romani pensantur eadem scriptores trutina, Hor.: Cic.: v. steelyard, scales. II. Equipoise: 1. libra: a firm b. against the winds, contra flatus pervicax l., Plin. (a rare use of the word). 2. librāmen, librāmentum: round this weapon three feathers were placed as a b., huic telo ad libramen pinnae tres circumdabantur, Liv.: to weight a battering-ram with a b. of lead, arietem libramento plumbi gravari, Liv. 3. pondus, ĕris, n.: v. weight. 4. compensātĭo (only fig.): an equitable b. of privilege and duty and reward, aequabilis c. juris et officii et muneris, Cic.: v. equilibrium. III. The difference between two sums (in book-keeping): rĕlĭquum (usu. plu.): I now wish to pay the outstanding b., nunc quod reliquum restat, volo persolvere, Pl.: Camillus writes that he has received my b.s, reliqua mea Camillus scribit se recepisse, Cic.