balance vs gulf

balance

noun
  • A pair of scales. 

  • The remainder. 

  • A state in which opposing forces harmonise; equilibrium. 

  • A list accounting for the debits on one side, and for the credits on the other. 

  • Something of equal weight used to provide equilibrium; counterweight. 

  • Awareness of both viewpoints or matters; neutrality; rationality; objectivity. 

  • A device used to regulate the speed of a watch, clock etc. 

  • The result of such a procedure; the difference between credit and debit of an account. 

  • The overall result of conflicting forces, opinions etc.; the influence which ultimately "weighs" more than others. 

  • Mental equilibrium; mental health; calmness, a state of remaining clear-headed and unperturbed. 

  • Apparent harmony in art (between differing colours, sounds, etc.). 

verb
  • To move toward, and then back from, reciprocally. 

  • To bring (items) to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights. 

  • To hold (an object or objects) precariously; to support on a narrow base, so as to keep from falling. 

  • To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to estimate. 

  • To make the credits and debits of (an account) correspond. 

  • To make (concepts) agree. 

  • To have matching credits and debits. 

  • To contract, as a sail, into a narrower compass. 

  • To be in equilibrium. 

gulf

noun
  • A portion of an ocean or sea extending into the land; a partially landlocked sea 

  • The bottom part of a list of those awarded a degree, for those who have only just passed. 

  • That which swallows irretrievably; a whirlpool; a sucking eddy. 

  • A hollow place in the earth; an abyss; a deep chasm or basin. 

  • A large deposit of ore in a lode. 

  • A wide interval or gap; a separating space. 

  • A difference, especially a large difference, between groups. 

verb
  • To award a degree to somebody who has only just passed sufficiently. 

How often have the words balance and gulf occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )