balance

Where does the word "balance" come from? It comes from Vulgar Latin bilanx, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Balance’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: bilanx meant “having two pans.” 'bi-', two, plus 'lanx', dish or scale pan. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as balance. A pair of scales. It reached English by 1200s as balance. Bank 'balance' dates from the 1500s. Today, balance means an even distribution of weight; a remaining sum.

1. Stage 1 · Vulgar Latin · ancient bilanx "having two pans", 'bi-', two, plus 'lanx', dish or scale pan.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval balance "scales", a pair of scales.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s balance "scales", bank 'balance' dates from the 1500s.