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

Mr. Cady greeted Bob with listless enthusiasm, teetering the while upon his cane like a Japanese equilibrist.

From The Auction Block by Beach, Rex Ellingwood

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

From Rainbow's End by Beach, Rex Ellingwood

Trewey is nowhere as an equilibrist, compared to a gallant veteran who breakfasted at my table, this morning.

From A Frenchman in America Recollections of Men and Things by O'Rell, Max

Nor do I see my way clear in providing for the steeple-climber, the equilibrist, the railroad president, or the tea-taster.

From Reveries of a Schoolmaster by Pearson, Francis B.

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