counterpoise


Also found in: Thesaurus, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.

coun·ter·poise

 (koun′tər-poiz′)
n.
1. A counterbalancing weight.
2. A force or influence that balances or equally counteracts another.
3. The state of being in equilibrium.
tr.v. coun·ter·poised, coun·ter·pois·ing, coun·ter·pois·es
1. To oppose with an equal weight; counterbalance.
2. To act against with an equal force or power; offset.

[Alteration (influenced by poise) of Middle English countrepeis, from Old French contrepeis : contre-, counter- + peis, weight; see avoirdupois.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

counterpoise

(ˈkaʊntəˌpɔɪz)
n
1. a force, influence, etc, that counterbalances another
2. a state of balance; equilibrium
3. a weight that balances another
4. (Telecommunications) a radial array of metallic wires, rods, or tubes arranged horizontally around the base of a vertical aerial to increase its transmitting efficiency
vb (tr)
5. to oppose with something of equal effect, weight, or force; offset
6. to bring into equilibrium
7. archaic to consider (one thing) carefully in relation to another
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

coun•ter•poise

(ˈkaʊn tərˌpɔɪz)

n., v. -poised, -pois•ing. n.
1. a counterbalancing weight.
2. any equal and opposing power or force.
3. the state of being in equilibrium; balance.
v.t.
4. to counterbalance.
[1375–1425; late Middle English countrepeis < Anglo-French; Old French contrepois=contre- counter- + pois; see poise1]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

counterpoise


Past participle: counterpoised
Gerund: counterpoising

Imperative
counterpoise
counterpoise
Present
I counterpoise
you counterpoise
he/she/it counterpoises
we counterpoise
you counterpoise
they counterpoise
Preterite
I counterpoised
you counterpoised
he/she/it counterpoised
we counterpoised
you counterpoised
they counterpoised
Present Continuous
I am counterpoising
you are counterpoising
he/she/it is counterpoising
we are counterpoising
you are counterpoising
they are counterpoising
Present Perfect
I have counterpoised
you have counterpoised
he/she/it has counterpoised
we have counterpoised
you have counterpoised
they have counterpoised
Past Continuous
I was counterpoising
you were counterpoising
he/she/it was counterpoising
we were counterpoising
you were counterpoising
they were counterpoising
Past Perfect
I had counterpoised
you had counterpoised
he/she/it had counterpoised
we had counterpoised
you had counterpoised
they had counterpoised
Future
I will counterpoise
you will counterpoise
he/she/it will counterpoise
we will counterpoise
you will counterpoise
they will counterpoise
Future Perfect
I will have counterpoised
you will have counterpoised
he/she/it will have counterpoised
we will have counterpoised
you will have counterpoised
they will have counterpoised
Future Continuous
I will be counterpoising
you will be counterpoising
he/she/it will be counterpoising
we will be counterpoising
you will be counterpoising
they will be counterpoising
Present Perfect Continuous
I have been counterpoising
you have been counterpoising
he/she/it has been counterpoising
we have been counterpoising
you have been counterpoising
they have been counterpoising
Future Perfect Continuous
I will have been counterpoising
you will have been counterpoising
he/she/it will have been counterpoising
we will have been counterpoising
you will have been counterpoising
they will have been counterpoising
Past Perfect Continuous
I had been counterpoising
you had been counterpoising
he/she/it had been counterpoising
we had been counterpoising
you had been counterpoising
they had been counterpoising
Conditional
I would counterpoise
you would counterpoise
he/she/it would counterpoise
we would counterpoise
you would counterpoise
they would counterpoise
Past Conditional
I would have counterpoised
you would have counterpoised
he/she/it would have counterpoised
we would have counterpoised
you would have counterpoised
they would have counterpoised
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.counterpoise - a weight that balances another weight
sash weight - a counterweight for a sliding sash
tare - (chemical analysis) a counterweight used in chemical analysis; consists of an empty container that counterbalances the weight of the container holding chemicals
weight - an artifact that is heavy
Verb1.counterpoise - constitute a counterweight or counterbalance to
counterbalance, oppose - contrast with equal weight or force
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

counterpoise

noun
A stable state characterized by the cancellation of all forces by equal opposing forces:
verb
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations

counterpoise

[ˈkaʊntəpɔɪz]
A. Ncontrapeso m
B. VTcontrapesar
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
References in classic literature ?
To be unfortunate in any respect was sufficient, if there was no demerit to counterpoise it, to turn the scale of that good man's pity, and to engage his friendship and his benefaction.
This great cement of society, which will diffuse itself almost wholly through the channels of the particular governments, independent of all other causes of influence, would insure them so decided an empire over their respective citizens as to render them at all times a complete counterpoise, and, not unfrequently, dangerous rivals to the power of the Union.
The whole extent of this prince's dominions reaches about six thousand miles in length, and from three to five in breadth: whence I cannot but conclude, that our geographers of Europe are in a great error, by supposing nothing but sea between Japan and California; for it was ever my opinion, that there must be a balance of earth to counterpoise the great continent of Tartary; and therefore they ought to correct their maps and charts, by joining this vast tract of land to the north-west parts of America, wherein I shall be ready to lend them my assistance.
The physician with his theory, rather obtained from than corrected by experiments on the human constitution; the pious, self- denying, laborious, and ill-paid missionary; the half-educated, litigious, envious, and disreputable lawyer, with his counterpoise, a brother of the profession, of better origin and of better character; the shiftless, bargaining, discontented seller of his “betterments;” the plausible carpenter, and most of the others, are more familiar to all who have ever dwelt in a new country.
They may sometimes discourse high, but that doth little hurt; besides, they are a counterpoise to the higher nobility, that they grow not too potent; and, lastly, being the most immediate in authority, with the common people, they do best temper popular commotions.
As before, the Pequod steeply leaned over towards the sperm whale's head, now, by the counterpoise of both heads, she regained her even keel; though sorely strained, you may well believe.
And certainly the unfortunate prisoner would have fallen ill but for the counterpoise which Providence had granted to his grief, and which was called Rosa.
Indeed this gentleman's stoicism was of that not uncommon kind, which enables a man to bear with exemplary fortitude the afflictions of his friends, but renders him, by way of counterpoise, rather selfish and sensitive in respect of any that happen to befall himself.
He took Manicamp with him, for his equable and dreamy disposition acted as a counterpoise to his own.
On the other hand, the delight of exploring an edifice like Udolpho, as her fancy represented Blaize Castle to be, was such a counterpoise of good as might console her for almost anything.
The general prevalence of agricultural pursuits of a quiet and gradual nature, not requiring those periodic seasons of hurry and pressure that are called for in the business of more southern districts, makes the task of the negro a more healthful and reasonable one; while the master, content with a more gradual style of acquisition, has not those temptations to hardheartedness which always overcome frail human nature when the prospect of sudden and rapid gain is weighed in the balance, with no heavier counterpoise than the interests of the helpless and unprotected.
Here he began to thunder with his axe upon the gate of the castle, protected in part from the shot and stones cast by the defenders by the ruins of the former drawbridge, which the Templar had demolished in his retreat from the barbican, leaving the counterpoise still attached to the upper part of the portal.