noun
balance scales; weighing scales
A device for weighing objects, typically with two pans.
昔の薬局では天秤で薬を量っていた。
In old pharmacies, they used to weigh medicine with balance scales.
noun
carrying pole; shoulder pole; milkmaid's yoke
Abbreviation of 天秤棒. A pole balanced across the shoulder for carrying loads.
See also: 天秤棒
天秤で水桶を運ぶ姿は、今ではほとんど見られない。
You hardly see people carrying water buckets with a shoulder pole these days.
noun
thread take-up lever (sewing machine)
A part on a sewing machine that pulls the thread up.
ミシンの天秤がうまく動かないので、修理に出した。
The thread take-up lever on my sewing machine wasn't moving properly, so I sent it for repair.
noun
spreader bar (fishing)
A bar used in fishing rigs to keep lines apart.
釣り具店で天秤を買って、仕掛けを作った。
I bought a spreader bar at the tackle shop and made a rig.
From 天 (heaven, sky) + 秤 (scales), referring to a balance suspended in the air. The abbreviation sense for carrying pole comes from 天秤棒.