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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Counterpoise \Coun"ter*poise'\ (koun"t?r-poiz'; 277), verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Counterpoised} (-poizd'); p. pr. & vb. n. {Counterpoising}.] [OE. countrepesen, counterpeisen, F. contrepeser. See {Counter}, adverb, and {Poise}, verb (used with an object) ]
1. To act against with equal weight; to equal in weight; to balance the weight of; to counterbalance.
Weights, counterpoising one another. --Sir K. Digby.
2. To act against with equal power; to balance.
So many freeholders of English will be able to beard and counterpoise the rest. --Spenser.
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Counterpoise \Coun"ter*poise'\ (koun"t?r-poiz'), noun [OE. countrepese, OF. contrepois, F. contrepods. See {Counter}, adverb, and {Poise}, noun]
1. A weight sufficient to balance another, as in the opposite scale of a balance; an equal weight.
Fastening that to our exact balance, we put a metalline counterpoise into the opposite scale. --Boyle.
2. An equal power or force acting in opposition; a force sufficient to balance another force.
The second nobles are a counterpoise to the higher nobility, that they grow not too potent. --Bacon.
3. The relation of two weights or forces which balance each other; equilibrium; equiponderance.
The pendulous round eart, with balanced air, In counterpoise. --Milton.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
counterpoise
noun: an equivalent counterbalancing weight [syn: {counterweight}, {counterbalance}, {balance}, {equalizer}, {equaliser}]
verb: constitute a counterweight or counterbalance to [syn: {counterweight}, {counterpose}]
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Definitions retrieved from local copies of the freely distributed DICT client/server software and databases. Click here for database copyright information. - KM |