coun|ter|poise

coun|ter|poise
coun|ter|poise «KOWN tuhr POYZ», noun, verb, -poised, -pois|ing.
–n.
1. a weight balancing another weight; counterbalancing weight.
2. Figurative. any equal or opposing power or force.
3. the condition of being in balance; equilibrium: »

Figurative. The…two styles of mind…are ever in counterpoise (Emerson).

–v.t.
to act as a counterpoise to; offset; counterbalance: »

Figurative. A weakness which may counterpoise this merit (Henry Fielding).

 SYNONYM(S): compensate.
╂[< Old French countrepeis < contre- against (< Latin contrā-) + peis weight < Latin pensum < pendere weigh]

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • ter — ter; ter·a·con·ic; ter·a·cryl·ic; ter·a·glin; ter·aph; ter·as; ter·a·tism; ter·a·to·genesis; ter·a·to·gen·ic; ter·a·to·log·i·cal; ter·a·tol·o·gist; ter·a·tol·o·gy; ter·a·to·ma; ter·a·to·sis; ter·bi·um; ter·centennial; ter·centesimal; ter·ce·ron;… …   English syllables

  • coun — ac·coun·tan·cy; back·coun·try; coun; coun·cil·lor; coun·cil·lor·ship; coun·cil·man; coun·cil·man·ic; coun·sel·able; coun·sel·ee; coun·sel·or; coun·te·nanc·er; coun·ter·act; coun·ter·ac·tant; coun·ter·act·ing·ly; coun·ter·action; coun·ter·agent;… …   English syllables

  • poise — cen·ti·poise; mil·li·poise; un·poise; coun·ter·poise; eq·ui·poise; poise; por·poise; …   English syllables

  • counterpoise — coun·ter·poise …   English syllables

  • counterpoise — coun•ter•poise [[t]ˈkaʊn tərˌpɔɪz[/t]] n. v. poised, pois•ing 1) a counterbalancing weight 2) any equal and opposing power or force 3) the state of being in equilibrium; balance 4) to counterbalance • Etymology: 1375–1425; late ME countrepeis… …   From formal English to slang

  • Counterpoise — Coun ter*poise (koun t?r poiz ; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Counterpoised} ( poizd ); p. pr. & vb. n. {Counterpoising}.] [OE. countrepesen, counterpeisen, F. contrepeser. See {Counter}, adv., and {Poise}, v. t. ] 1. To act against with equal… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Counterpoise — Coun ter*poise (koun t?r poiz ), n. [OE. countrepese, OF. contrepois, F. contrepods. See {Counter}, adv., and {Poise}, n.] 1. A weight sufficient to balance another, as in the opposite scale of a balance; an equal weight. [1913 Webster] Fastening …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Counterpoised — Counterpoise Coun ter*poise (koun t?r poiz ; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Counterpoised} ( poizd ); p. pr. & vb. n. {Counterpoising}.] [OE. countrepesen, counterpeisen, F. contrepeser. See {Counter}, adv., and {Poise}, v. t. ] 1. To act against… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Counterpoising — Counterpoise Coun ter*poise (koun t?r poiz ; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Counterpoised} ( poizd ); p. pr. & vb. n. {Counterpoising}.] [OE. countrepesen, counterpeisen, F. contrepeser. See {Counter}, adv., and {Poise}, v. t. ] 1. To act against… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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