Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of 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 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.
\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. 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.