TERMIUM Plus®
From: Translation Bureau
On social media
Consult the Government of Canada’s terminology data bank.
CHECKS BALANCES [7 records]
Record 1 - internal organization data 2014-11-26
Record 1, English
Record 1, Subject field(s)
- Courts
Record 1, Main entry term, English
- grand jury
1, record 1, English, grand%20jury
correct
Record 1, Abbreviations, English
Record 1, Synonyms, English
Record 1, Textual support, English
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
A jury of inquiry who are summoned and returned by the sheriff to each session of the criminal courts, and whose duty is to receive complaints and accusations in criminal cases, hear the evidence adduced on the part of the state, and find bills of indictment in cases where they are satisfied a trial ought to be had. 2, record 1, English, - grand%20jury
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
A grand jury is meant to be part of the system of checks and balances, preventing a case from going to trial on a prosecutor's bare word. A prosecutor must convince the grand jury, an impartial panel of ordinary citizens, that there exists reasonable suspicion, probable cause, or a prima facie(legally sufficient) case that a crime has been committed. 3, record 1, English, - grand%20jury
Record 1, French
Record 1, Domaine(s)
- Tribunaux
Record 1, Main entry term, French
- grand jury
1, record 1, French, grand%20jury
correct, masculine noun, United States
Record 1, Abbreviations, French
Record 1, Synonyms, French
- chambre de mises en accusation 2, record 1, French, chambre%20de%20mises%20en%20accusation
correct, feminine noun, Europe
Record 1, Textual support, French
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
La chambre des mises en accusation était devenue chambre d’accusation (qui est devenu la chambre d’instruction le 15 juin 2000). La phase du jugement correspondait au modèle accusatoire. 2, record 1, French, - grand%20jury
Record 1, Spanish
Record 1, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Tribunales
Record 1, Main entry term, Spanish
- jurado de acusación
1, record 1, Spanish, jurado%20de%20acusaci%C3%B3n
correct, masculine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 1, Synonyms, Spanish
- jurado de investigación 2, record 1, Spanish, jurado%20de%20investigaci%C3%B3n
correct, masculine noun
- gran jurado 2, record 1, Spanish, gran%20jurado
correct, masculine noun
Record 1, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
La Fundación del Español Urgente (Fundéu BBVA), con el asesoramiento de la Real Academia Española, explica que el "grand jury" norteamericano no puede traducirse por el término "jurado" a secas, ya que no es el grupo de personas encargadas de emitir un veredicto. En el sistema judicial estadounidense el "grand jury" tiene competencias para investigar y decide si hay causa suficiente para llevar un caso a juicio. En español pueden emplearse las formas "gran jurado", "jurado de acusación" o "jurado de investigación". 2, record 1, Spanish, - jurado%20de%20acusaci%C3%B3n
Record 2 - internal organization data 2009-06-25
Record 2, English
Record 2, Subject field(s)
- Protection of Life
- Emergency Management
Record 2, Main entry term, English
- two-year review
1, record 2, English, two%2Dyear%20review
correct
Record 2, Abbreviations, English
Record 2, Synonyms, English
Record 2, Textual support, English
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 CONT
The two-year review is part of a system of checks and balances to ensure that reasonable grounds still exist for [a terrorist] entity to remain listed. 2, record 2, English, - two%2Dyear%20review
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
... the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness must review the list every two years and make a recommendation to the Governor in Council whether each of the entities listed should remain listed. 3, record 2, English, - two%2Dyear%20review
Record 2, French
Record 2, Domaine(s)
- Sécurité des personnes
- Gestion des urgences
Record 2, Main entry term, French
- examen bisannuel
1, record 2, French, examen%20bisannuel
correct, masculine noun
Record 2, Abbreviations, French
Record 2, Synonyms, French
- examen biennal 2, record 2, French, examen%20biennal
correct, masculine noun
Record 2, Textual support, French
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 CONT
L'examen bisannuel ne consiste pas à refaire la [liste des entités [terroristes] établie en vertu du Code criminel], mais il est partie intégrante d'un système de vérification conçu de manière à s'assurer qu'il existe encore des motifs raisonnables de garder une entité sur la liste. 3, record 2, French, - examen%20bisannuel
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
La ministre de la Sécurité publique et de la Protection civile est tenue, en vertu de la loi, de revoir la liste tous les deux ans et de formuler une recommandation au gouverneur en conseil sur la nécessité de laisser ou non sur cette liste chacune des entités qui y figure. 3, record 2, French, - examen%20bisannuel
Record 2, Spanish
Record 2, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Protección de las personas
- Gestión de emergencias
Record 2, Main entry term, Spanish
- examen bienal
1, record 2, Spanish, examen%20bienal
correct, masculine noun
Record 2, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 2, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 2, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 CONT
[...] el Consejo [de Seguridad de las Naciones Unidas] y los Comités [de sanciones] debían [...] realizar un examen bienal de las inscripciones en la lista [consolidada de personas y entidades sujetas a sanciones]. 1, record 2, Spanish, - examen%20bienal
Record 3 - internal organization data 2001-10-18
Record 3, English
Record 3, Subject field(s)
- Chemistry
Record 3, Main entry term, English
- buffer
1, record 3, English, buffer
correct, verb
Record 3, Abbreviations, English
Record 3, Synonyms, English
Record 3, Textual support, English
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
[To maintain] a given desired pH through neutralisation of acidic or basic elements as appropriate. 1, record 3, English, - buffer
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 OBS
buffer: Any substance in a solution that tends to stabilize the hydrogen ion concentration by neutralizing any added acid or alkali. 2, record 3, English, - buffer
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Nature's complex arrangement of checks and balances has always buffered this slight acidity [of rain]. Mild bases-such as the carbonates that exist in limestone rocks-are able to neutralize the acidic effect. 3, record 3, English, - buffer
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 2 CONT
... the areas which produces pollution are unaffected by it, either because its fallout is far away, or the local lakes and soils are well buffered with alkaline bedrock or chemistry. 4, record 3, English, - buffer
Record 3, French
Record 3, Domaine(s)
- Chimie
Record 3, Main entry term, French
- tamponner
1, record 3, French, tamponner
correct
Record 3, Abbreviations, French
Record 3, Synonyms, French
Record 3, Textual support, French
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Tamponner une solution, l'additionner d'une substance convenable pour que son pH varie peu par une dilution ultérieure ou par addition de substances étrangères. 2, record 3, French, - tamponner
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 2 CONT
Le pH des milieux aqueux nécessaires à la vie - l'eau des océans pour la faune aquatique; le sang, la lymphe, etc. pour les animaux supérieurs - ne peut varier que dans d'étroites limites, sous peine de désordres graves pouvant entraîner la mort; à cet effet, ces milieux sont tamponnés par des sels minéraux tels que, phosphates et carbonates, mélangés à divers acides, parmi lesquels l'acide carbonique joue un rôle régulateur important. 3, record 3, French, - tamponner
Record 3, Spanish
Record 3, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Química
Record 3, Main entry term, Spanish
- amortiguar 1, record 3, Spanish, amortiguar
Record 3, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 3, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 3, Textual support, Spanish
Record 4 - internal organization data 1998-06-30
Record 4, English
Record 4, Subject field(s)
- Political Theories and Doctrines
Record 4, Main entry term, English
- checks and balances
1, record 4, English, checks%20and%20balances
correct, plural
Record 4, Abbreviations, English
Record 4, Synonyms, English
Record 4, Textual support, English
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Means of offsetting the powers of one body or person by those of another. 2, record 4, English, - checks%20and%20balances
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 PHR
institutional checks and balances. 3, record 4, English, - checks%20and%20balances
Record 4, French
Record 4, Domaine(s)
- Théories et doctrines politiques
Record 4, Main entry term, French
- freins et contrepoids
1, record 4, French, freins%20et%20contrepoids
correct, masculine noun, plural
Record 4, Abbreviations, French
Record 4, Synonyms, French
Record 4, Textual support, French
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Moyens de compenser les pouvoirs d'un organisme ou d'une personne par ceux d'un autre organisme ou d'une autre personne. 2, record 4, French, - freins%20et%20contrepoids
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 PHR
freins et contrepoids institutionnels. 3, record 4, French, - freins%20et%20contrepoids
Record 4, Spanish
Record 4, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Teorías y doctrinas políticas
Record 4, Main entry term, Spanish
- contrapesos y salvaguardias
1, record 4, Spanish, contrapesos%20y%20salvaguardias
correct, plural
Record 4, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 4, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 4, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 PHR
contrapesos y salvaguardias institucionales. 1, record 4, Spanish, - contrapesos%20y%20salvaguardias
Record 5 - internal organization data 1998-05-20
Record 5, English
Record 5, Subject field(s)
- Economics
Record 5, Main entry term, English
- adjustment factor 1, record 5, English, adjustment%20factor
Record 5, Abbreviations, English
Record 5, Synonyms, English
Record 5, Textual support, English
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 CONT
A better option for countries with weaker checks and balances might be to combine price-cap regulation in which the adjustment factor is fixed with an agreement to share unexpectedly high profits on the basis of a prespecified formula. 1, record 5, English, - adjustment%20factor
Record 5, French
Record 5, Domaine(s)
- Économique
Record 5, Main entry term, French
- facteur d'ajustement
1, record 5, French, facteur%20d%27ajustement
masculine noun
Record 5, Abbreviations, French
Record 5, Synonyms, French
Record 5, Textual support, French
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Au Royaume-Uni, par exemple, les tarifs des services d'utilité publique sont assujettis à un tarif global fondé sur le taux d'inflation annuel minoré d'un facteur d'ajustement défini par les organismes de réglementation. 1, record 5, French, - facteur%20d%27ajustement
Record 5, Spanish
Record 5, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Economía
Record 5, Main entry term, Spanish
- factor de ajuste
1, record 5, Spanish, factor%20de%20ajuste
masculine noun
Record 5, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 5, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 5, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Una alternativa mejor para los países con sistemas de contrapesos y salvaguardias menos sólidos podría ser la regulación de los precios máximos, para la que se establece un factor de ajuste fijo, sumada al acuerdo de compartir las utilidades inesperadamente elevadas según una fórmula preconvenida. 1, record 5, Spanish, - factor%20de%20ajuste
Record 6 - internal organization data 1997-12-16
Record 6, English
Record 6, Subject field(s)
- Anti-pollution Measures
Record 6, Main entry term, English
- buffer
1, record 6, English, buffer
correct, verb
Record 6, Abbreviations, English
Record 6, Synonyms, English
Record 6, Textual support, English
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 CONT
All precipitation is slightly acidic. Since the beginning of time, carbon dioxide(a natural component of air) has combined with rain to form a weak solution of carbonic acid. Measured on a pH scale, the acidity of this combination would register pH 5. 6, slightly more acidic than the neutral level of pH 7. Nature's complex arrangement of checks and balances has always buffered this slight acidity. Mild bases-such as the carbonates that exist in limestone rocks-are able to neutralize the acidic effect. 1, record 6, English, - buffer
Record 6, French
Record 6, Domaine(s)
- Mesures antipollution
Record 6, Main entry term, French
- tamponner
1, record 6, French, tamponner
correct
Record 6, Abbreviations, French
Record 6, Synonyms, French
Record 6, Textual support, French
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Neutraliser les effets de la présence d'éléments acides dans un écosystème. 2, record 6, French, - tamponner
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 CONT
[...] à titre d'exemple, un bassin lacustre au fond duquel s'est accumulée une épaisse séquence d'argile silteuse glacio-lacustre possède une grande capacité de neutraliser l'acidité des eaux souterraines affluentes, ces sédiments pourront même tamponner l'acidité, le cas échéant, des eaux du lac, s'ils sont exposés à l'interface eau-sédiment, c'est-à-dire s'ils ne sont pas eux-mêmes recouverts d'une épaisse couche de gyttja. 3, record 6, French, - tamponner
Record 6, Spanish
Record 6, Textual support, Spanish
Record 7 - internal organization data 1987-12-19
Record 7, English
Record 7, Subject field(s)
- International Relations
Record 7, Main entry term, English
- verification rights 1, record 7, English, verification%20rights
Record 7, Abbreviations, English
Record 7, Synonyms, English
Record 7, Textual support, English
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 OBS
in international agreements. Supervisory checks and balances; vetoing; having a say(in the matter) 1, record 7, English, - verification%20rights
Record 7, French
Record 7, Domaine(s)
- Relations internationales
Record 7, Main entry term, French
- droit de regard 1, record 7, French, droit%20de%20regard
Record 7, Abbreviations, French
Record 7, Synonyms, French
Record 7, Textual support, French
Record 7, Spanish
Record 7, Textual support, Spanish
Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank
© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2026
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau
Features
GCtranslate (available on the Government of Canada network only)
Use this artificial intelligence prototype to translate Government of Canada content up to and including Protected B. Available to employees of selected departments and agencies only.
Writing tools
The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.
Glossaries and vocabularies
Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.
- Date Modified:


