equilibriumn.
/ˌiːkwɪˈlɪbrɪəm/, /ˌɛkwᵻˈlɪbrɪəm/, U.S. /ˌɛkwəˈlɪbriəm/, /ˌikwəˈlɪbriəm/ 1.
a. In physical sense: The condition of equal balance between opposing forces; that state of a material system in which the forces acting upon the system, or those of them which are taken into consideration, are so arranged that their resultant at every point is zero.A body is said to be in stable equilibrium, when it returns to its original position after being disturbed; in unstable when it continues to move in the direction given to it by the disturbing force; in neutral, when it remains stationary in its new position.
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the world > relative properties > relationship > equality or equivalence > [noun] > equilibrium
evennessa1398
peisea1400
equal (also even) poise1555
counterpoise1594
libration1603
equal, even scale1604
equilibre1621
poise1621
poisurea1625
balance1642
equilibrity1644
equilibrium1660
equipoise1661
equipoisure1683
equiponderancy1710
equiponderance1775
repose1805
equibalance1841
stasis1920
the world > matter > physics > mechanics > dynamics > statics > [noun] > equal balance of opposing forces
equilibrium1660
balance1713
1660 R. Boyle New Exper. Physico-mechanicall i. 36 The pressure on all hands being reduced as it were to an Æquilibrium.
1697 Philos. Trans. 1695–7 (Royal Soc.) 19 446 The Fluids, pressing equally and easily yielding to each other, soon restore the Æquilibrium.
1796 G. Atwood in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 86 51 1st. The equilibrium of stability..2dly. The equilibrium of instability..3dly. The equilibrium of indifference.
1830 J. F. W. Herschel Prelim. Disc. Study Nat. Philos. 222 Thereby to maintain equilibrium.
1838 J. Grant Sketches London 299 Trying how fast they could run down [the hill] without losing their equilibrium.
1861 J. S. Mill Considerations Representative Govt. i. 13 A government so situated is in the condition called in mechanics unstable equilibrium, like a thing balanced on its smaller end.
1879 tr. A. de Quatrefages de Bréau Human Species 4 In the crystal once formed, the forces remain in a state of stable equilibrium.
b. equilibrium of temperature n. see quot.
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1794 J. Hutton Diss. Philos. Light 91 The supposed state of a perfect equilibrium, or equal temperature among bodies.
1871 B. Stewart Heat (ed. 2) §12 Two bodies may be said to be in a state of equilibrium of temperature with each other when if shaken together they neither change their state with respect to heat, nor, etc.
2.
a. The state of equal balance between powers of any kind; equality of importance or effect among the various parts of any complex unity.
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the world > relative properties > relationship > equality or equivalence > [noun] > equality of power or excellence
equalitya1616
equilibrium1677
1677 tr. A.-N. Amelot de La Houssaie Hist. Govt. Venice 80 So to balance their [the Spaniard and the French] Power, as to keep both in an Equilibrium.
1741 C. Middleton Hist. Life Cicero (1742) I. Pref. 38 [The two Gracchi] had in great measure overturned that æquilibrium of power in the Republic, in which its peace and prosperity depended.
1773 Observ. State Poor 80 A destruction of the equilibrium of population, by a defection of inhabitants from one county to another.
1840 T. B. Macaulay Ranke's Hist. in Ess. (1851) II. 144 The war which followed was a war for the equilibrium of Europe.
1871 R. F. Weymouth Euphuism 4 Of such equilibrium and symmetry in antithesis every page of the Euphues furnishes examples.
b. The condition of suspense or uncertainty produced by equality in the force of opposing influences; neutrality of judgement or volition.
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the mind > emotion > indifference > [noun]
carelessness1561
neutrality1561
indifferency1608
perfunctoriness1626
indifference1660
unconcernment1660
slightiness1662
unconcernedness1675
nonchalance1678
upsitting1680
equilibrium1685
inconcernedness1688
unconcernness1700
unconcern1711
indifferentness1727
Laodiceanism1774
facility1791
insouciance1799
aloofness1817
don't-carishness1821
pococurantism1823
don't-careism1834
don't-care-a-damnativeness1841
nonchalantness1878
casualness1882
disinterest1889
noncurance1904
uncaringness1930
1685 J. Sharp Disc. Conscience II. 4 There is an end of the Doubt or Æquilibrium.
1754 J. Edwards Careful Enq. Freedom of Will i. i. 4 Where there is absolutely no preferring or chusing, but a perfect continuing Equilibrium, there is no Volition.
1795 W. Paley View Evidences Christianity (ed. 3) II. iii. viii. 391 That indifferency and suspense, that waiting and equilibrium of the judgement.
1876 E. White Life in Christ (ed. 2) i. vii. 74 This is the infidelity of persons..who pass their lives in a state of equilibrium or indifference.
c. Well-balanced condition of mind or feeling.
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the mind > emotion > calmness > [noun]
resteOE
peacea1225
egalityc1374
tranquillityc1374
peaceabilityc1384
sobernessc1384
tranquille1412
quietness?a1425
evenheadc1440
equalitya1475
equability1531
sobermood1556
calmness1561
evenness1561
serenity1599
collection1602
equilibrium1608
calm1609
temperateness1609
composedness1611
recollection1611
temper1611
unpassionateness1611
placidity1619
sereneness1628
attemperature1635
quietationa1639
equableness1641
steadiness1642
sedateness1647
imperturbation1648
placidness1654
centredness1662
equanimity1663
composure1667
serenitude1672
equalness1675
unperturbedness1676
dispassion1690
quietism1735
serene1744
relaxednessa1750
self-composure1762
sober-mindedness1767
collectedness1789
unprovokedness1795
comfortableness1815
repose1815
levelness1824
dispassionateness1842
unruffledness1858
passionlessness1867
1608 Bp. J. King Serm. St. Maries Oxf. 26 Salomon a man in the perfit æquilibrium and stablest state of his age.
1874 F. W. Farrar Life Christ II. 45 In this outward activity, she lost the necessary equilibrium of an inward calm.
1875 P. G. Hamerton Intellect. Life (ed. 2) x. ix. 384 It is best to preserve our minds in a state of equilibrium.
3. The Latin in aequilibrio ‘in equilibrium’ appears usually with anglicized spelling (equi-). (The Latin ablative in this phrase was formerly sometimes treated as an English word; hence such expressions as in perfect equilibrio.)
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1650 J. Bulwer Anthropometamorphosis 229 When the body is erect and in equilibrio.
1683 J. Pettus Fleta Minor (1686) i. 150 Weigh it..until the Ballance standeth even in Æquilibrio.
1709 M. Prior Ladle in Poems 45 Is it in equilibrio, If deities descend or no? Then let the affirmative prevail, As requisite to form my tale.
1755 Gentleman's Mag. Apr. 164/2 Being at the vernal equinox in an equilibrio.
1798 T. Jefferson Writings (1859) IV. 231 The fate of Sprigg's resolutions seems in perfect equilibrio.
1868 J. E. T. Rogers Man. Polit. Econ. (ed. 3) xv. 209 These bills..may exactly balance between country and country. In such a case, the trade between the two countries is said to be in equilibrio.
Compounds
C1. attributive.
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1874 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Equilibrium-valve..having a pressure nearly equal on both sides.
1880 S. Haughton Six Lect. Physical Geogr. iii. 92 The point of equilibrium temperature, which is the Fahrenheit zero.
C2.
equilibrium diagram n. a diagram representing the limits of temperature and composition within which the various phases or constituents of an alloy system are stable; a constitutional diagram.
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1925 Jrnl. Iron & Steel Inst. 112 345 In the equilibrium diagram of the iron-carbon system..the A2 line is shown by a dotted line.
equilibrium moisture content n. (see quot. 1966).
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1934 Webster's New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. Equilibrium moisture content.
1948 New Biol. 4 91 Wood being a hygroscopic material adjusts itself to the moisture condition of its surroundings by losing or absorbing moisture until an equilibrium moisture content is attained.
1966 A. W. Lewis Gloss. Woodworking Terms 27 Equilibrium moisture content, normal stable state of timber when its moisture content corresponds with the humidity of the air.
Draft additions 1993
spec. in Economics. A situation in which supply and demand are matched and prices stable.
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society > trade and finance > management of money > management of national resources > [noun] > political economy > economic forces or effects
overheating1609
consumption1662
supply1744
production1767
demand1776
effective demand1819
employment rate1833
equilibrium1871
opportunity cost1894
bankers' ramp1931
multiplier1936
multiplier effect1937
market forces1942
cost push1952
externality1957
fiscal drag1964
demand-side1975
1871 W. S. Jevons Theory Polit. Econ. iv. 109 In practice, no market ever long fulfils the theoretical conditions of equilibrium, because, from the various accidents of life and business, there are sure to be many people every day compelled to sell or having sudden strong inducements to buy.
1911 Encycl. Brit. XVII. 731/2 Supposing equilibrium to have been attained in a given market,..the price of the commodity dealt in, in the market, will remain practically unchanged during that period.
1936 J. M. Keynes Gen. Theory Employment i. iii. 26 Effective demand, instead of having a unique equilibrium value, is an infinite range of values.
1953 J. L. Hanson Textbk. Econ. x. 166 Both supply and demand vary with price, and so at the equilibrium price these two forces can be balanced.
1976 Economist 16 Oct. 21/3 So there is obviously a connection between balance of payments equilibrium and money market equilibrium, although the two are not the same.
1984 F. Hahn (title) Equilibrium and macroeconomics.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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