coun·ter·poise 
(kountər-poiz′)
(kountər-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 POISE1) of Middle English countrepeis, from Old French contrepeis : contre-, counter- + peis, weight; see AVOIRDUPOIS.]