equilibrist

American  

[ih-kwil-uh-brist, ee-kwuh-lib-rist, ek-wuh-] / ɪˈkwɪl ə brɪst, ˌi kwəˈlɪb rɪst, ˌɛk wə- /

noun

1. a performer who is skilled at balancing in unusual positions and hazardous movements, as a tightrope walker in a circus.

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equilibrist British  

/ ɪˈkwɪlɪbrɪst /

noun

1. a person who performs balancing feats, esp on a high wire

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Other Word Forms

• equilibristic adjective

Etymology

Origin of equilibrist

From the French word équilibriste, dating back to 1750–60. See equilibrium, -ist

Example Sentences

He was laboring over a gigantic treadmill, balancing like an equilibrist upon a revolving sphere.

From Rainbow's End by Beach, Rex Ellingwood

Or merely a feint to thrill us?—the feint of an equilibrist so secure that he can pretend to lose his balance?

From And Even Now by Beerbohm, Max, Sir

All those who have followed with some attention Mr. Bourassa's course for the last twenty years, know that he is an equilibrist of the first class.

From England, Canada and the Great War by Desjardins, Louis-Georges

Besides her chief accomplishment she possessed wonderful strength and was a skilled equilibrist.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)

They are narrow enough to test the skill of an equilibrist, and it may be they are put down to drill the courtiers in that useful art.

From Empires and Emperors of Russia, China, Korea, and Japan Notes and Recollections by Monsignor Count Vay de Vaya and Luskod by Vay, P?ter