balancers
Those maintaining equilibrium
Balancers are things that create or maintain balance.
In physical systems, a balancer is a device that counteracts forces to keep something stable or level: wheel balancers, load balancers.
People who balance competing interests—mediators, moderates—may be called balancers.
In biology, balancers are small appendages on flies (halteres) that help stabilize flight.
Movement coordination organ
- vestibular systemSensory apparatus for spatial orientation
- inner earBalance and hearing center
- proprioceptorsReceptors sensing body position
- sensory neuronsCells transmitting stimuli inward
Mechanisms ensuring steadiness
- counterweightsMasses balancing a load
- flywheelsRotating mass energy stores
- gyroscopesSpinning axis-orientation devices
- equalizersThings that balance disparities
dampers · regulators · compensators · rotors
Performers crossing suspended wires
- slacklinersThose who traverse suspended straps
- gymnastsAthletes performing acrobatic feats
- aerialistsPerformers who work aloft
- contortionistsPerformers with extreme flexibility
circus performers · acrobats · stunt performers · unicyclists
Financial statement reviewers
- mediatorsConflict resolution facilitators
- arbitratorsNeutral third-party deciders
- overseersThose who supervise others
- moderatorsThose regulating discussions
checks · watchdogs · regulators · ombudsmen · controllers · referees · equalizers · compliance officers
Animals that kill prey
- keystone speciesOutsized ecological impact organism
- wolvesWild pack canines
- sharksLarge predatory fish
- owlsNocturnal birds of prey
cerebellum
Movement coordination organ
- vestibular systemSensory apparatus for spatial orientation
- inner earBalance and hearing center
- proprioceptorsReceptors sensing body position
stabilizers
Mechanisms ensuring steadiness
- counterweightsMasses balancing a load
- flywheelsRotating mass energy stores
- gyroscopesSpinning axis-orientation devices
equalizers · dampers · regulators · compensators · rotors
tightrope walkers
Performers crossing suspended wires
- slacklinersThose who traverse suspended straps
- gymnastsAthletes performing acrobatic feats
- aerialistsPerformers who work aloft
contortionists · circus performers · acrobats · stunt performers · unicyclists
auditors
Financial statement reviewers
- mediatorsConflict resolution facilitators
- arbitratorsNeutral third-party deciders
- overseersThose who supervise others
moderators · checks · watchdogs · regulators · ombudsmen · controllers · referees · equalizers · compliance officers
predators
Animals that kill prey
- keystone speciesOutsized ecological impact organism
- wolvesWild pack canines
- sharksLarge predatory fish
owls · raptors · insectivores
- Drosophila geneticsMorgan, Muller, Hox genes, wingless, hedgehog
- mediatorsmediator, mediators, arbitrator, arbitrators, negotiator
- insect anatomyabdomen, antennae, thorax, exoskeleton, head
balancersdestabilizers
Agents causing instability
disruptors · agitators · tippers · disturbers · upsetters
balancersskewers
Pointed rods for cooking
tippers · concentrators · distorters · polarizers · extremists
- off balanceLacking equilibrium or composure
- balanced dietVaried nutritional intake
- strike a balanceAchieve equilibrium between competing demands
- lose balanceBecome unstable, risk falling
- balance outCounteract to achieve parity
- checks and balancesConstitutional power-limiting framework
balance, balanced, unbalanced, imbalance, balances, counterbalance, imbalances, balancer, rebalance