the difference in value over a period of time of a country's imports and exports of merchandise; "a nation's balance of trade is favorable when its exports exceed its imports"
commercial enterprises organized and financed on a scale large enough to influence social and political policies; "big business is growing so powerful it is difficult to regulate it effectively"
the quality of taking advantage; "she turned her writing skills to good account"
importance or value; "a person of considerable account"; "he predicted that although it is of small account now it will rapidly increase in importance"
a statement of recent transactions and the resulting balance; "they send me an accounting every month"
a formal contractual relationship established to provide for regular banking or brokerage or business services; "he asked to see the executive who handled his account"
furnish a justifying analysis or explanation; "I can't account for the missing money"
keep an account of
be the sole or primary factor in the existence, acquisition, supply, or disposal of something; "Passing grades account for half of the grades given in this exam"
borrowing and leaving an article as security for repayment of the loan
(chess) the least powerful piece; moves only forward and captures only to the side; it can be promoted to a more powerful piece if it reaches the 8th rank
an article deposited as security
leave as a guarantee in return for money; "pawn your grandfather's gold watch"