geglichen

Geglichen is a German adjective and past participle with meanings connected to balance, evenness, and composure. In everyday use, it describes something that possesses or communicates equilibrium or a calm, steady quality. The more common form in modern German for describing balance or temperament is ausgeglichen; geglichen tends to appear mainly in older or more formal or technical contexts, or as part of certain fixed expressions.

Etymology and grammar: Geglichen originates from the verb gleichen, with the ge- prefix forming a participle. In practice, the adjective geglichen is relatively rare in contemporary speech, and speakers most often rely on ausgeglichen to convey a well-balanced state. The word can appear in literary or specialized texts where a more archaic or formal tone is desired.

Usage and nuances: As a standalone adjective, geglichen can convey a sense of equality or alignment of elements, whereas ausgeglichen emphasizes everyday balance or emotional stability. In descriptions of people, the related term ausgeglichen is standard for an even-tempered personality. In descriptions of objects or systems, geglichen may be found in contexts that aim for a formal or technical register.

Related terms: Gleichgewicht, Ausgeglichenheit, Gleichmaß, Gleichheit, ausgeglichen. See also discussions of balance and composure in German grammar and Lexicon entries on related forms.

Note: For most practical purposes, uses of geglichen are uncommon outside scholarly or literary texts; deshalb is ausgeglichen the preferred everyday term to express balance or serenity.