Rest that's essential for tightrope-walker? (7)

I believe the answer is:

balance

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'rest' is the definition.
(I know that rest can be written as balance)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for balance that I've seen before include "Equilibrium or symmetry" , "Sign" , "Rest" , "Weighing device" , "Weighing apparatus" .)

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