equilibrium
pronunciation
How to pronounce equilibrium in British English: UK [ˌiːkwɪˈlɪbriəm]
How to pronounce equilibrium in American English: US [ˌiːkwɪˈlɪbriəm]
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- Noun:
- a chemical reaction and its reverse proceed at equal rates
- a stable situation in which forces cancel one another
- equality of distribution
- a sensory system located in structures of the inner ear that registers the orientation of the head
Word Origin
- equilibrium (n.)
- c. 1600, "state of mental balance," from Latin aequilibrium "an even balance; a horizontal position," from aequilibris "equal, level, horizontal, evenly balanced," from aequus "equal" (see equal (adj.)) + libra "a balance, scale, plummet" (see Libra). Related: Equilibrious.
Example
- 1. Homeostasis is our body 's attempt to maintain equilibrium .
- 2. One argues that the economy is always in equilibrium .
- 3. No matter which is chosen , it may also lead to an unstable equilibrium .
- 4. Bringing things back into equilibrium with some healthy regulation .
- 5. Upsetting this delicate equilibrium could have dire international consequences .