DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan
Ther·mom·e·ter n. Physics An instrument for measuring temperature, founded on the principle that changes of temperature in bodies are accompanied by proportional changes in their volumes or dimensions.
Note: ☞ The thermometer usually consists of a glass tube of capillary bore, terminating in a bulb, and containing mercury or alcohol, which expanding or contracting according to the temperature to which it is exposed, indicates the degree of heat or cold by the amount of space occupied, as shown by the position of the top of the liquid column on a graduated scale. See Centigrade, Fahrenheit, and Réaumur.
To reduce degrees Fahrenheit to degrees Centigrade, subtract 32° and multiply by
Air thermometer, Balance thermometer, etc. See under Air, Balance, etc.
Metallic thermometer, a form of thermometer indicating changes of temperature by the expansion or contraction of rods or strips of metal.
Register thermometer, or Self-registering thermometer, a thermometer that registers the maximum and minimum of temperature occurring in the interval of time between two consecutive settings of the instrument. A common form contains a bit of steel wire to be pushed before the column and left at the point of maximum temperature, or a slide of enamel, which is drawn back by the liquid, and left within it at the point of minimum temperature.
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Bal·ance n.
1. An apparatus for weighing.
Note: ☞ In its simplest form, a balance consists of a beam or lever supported exactly in the middle, having two scales or basins of equal weight suspended from its extremities. Another form is that of the Roman balance, our steelyard, consisting of a lever or beam, suspended near one of its extremities, on the longer arm of which a counterpoise slides. The name is also given to other forms of apparatus for weighing bodies, as to the combinations of levers making up platform scales; and even to devices for weighing by the elasticity of a spring.
2. Act of weighing mentally; comparison; estimate.
A fair balance of the advantages on either side. --Atterbury.
3. Equipoise between the weights in opposite scales.
4. The state of being in equipoise; equilibrium; even adjustment; steadiness.
And hung a bottle on each side
To make his balance true. --Cowper.
The order and balance of the country were destroyed. --Buckle.
English workmen completely lose their balance. --J. S. Mill.
5. An equality between the sums total of the two sides of an account; as, to bring one's accounts to a balance; -- also, the excess on either side; as, the balance of an account. “A balance at the banker's.”
I still think the balance of probabilities leans towards the account given in the text. --J. Peile.
6. Horol. A balance wheel, as of a watch, or clock. See Balance wheel (in the Vocabulary).
7. Astron. (a) The constellation Libra. (b) The seventh sign in the Zodiac, called Libra, which the sun enters at the equinox in September.
8. A movement in dancing. See Balance, v. t., 8.
Balance electrometer, a kind of balance, with a poised beam, which indicates, by weights suspended from one arm, the mutual attraction of oppositely electrified surfaces. --Knight.
Balance fish. Zool. See Hammerhead.
Balance knife, a carving or table knife the handle of which overbalances the blade, and so keeps it from contact with the table.
Balance of power Politics, such an adjustment of power among sovereign states that no one state is in a position to interfere with the independence of the others; international equilibrium; also, the ability (of a state or a third party within a state) to control the relations between sovereign states or between dominant parties in a state.
Balance sheet Bookkeeping, a paper showing the balances of the open accounts of a business, the debit and credit balances footing up equally, if the system of accounts be complete and the balances correctly taken.
Balance thermometer, a thermometer mounted as a balance so that the movement of the mercurial column changes the inclination of the tube. With the aid of electrical or mechanical devices adapted to it, it is used for the automatic regulation of the temperature of rooms warmed artificially, and as a fire alarm.
Balance of torsion. See Torsion Balance.
Balance of trade Pol. Econ., an equilibrium between the money values of the exports and imports of a country; or more commonly, the amount required on one side or the other to make such an equilibrium.
Balance valve, a valve whose surfaces are so arranged that the fluid pressure tending to seat, and that tending to unseat, the valve, are nearly in equilibrium; esp., a puppet valve which is made to operate easily by the admission of steam to both sides. See Puppet valve.
Hydrostatic balance. See under Hydrostatic.
To lay in balance, to put up as a pledge or security. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
To strike a balance, to find out the difference between the debit and credit sides of an account.