counterweighv.
/ˌkaʊntəˈweɪ/ 1. transitive. To weigh (things) against each other, or in opposite scales; to balance. (In quots. figurative)
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > equality or equivalence > make equal [verb (transitive)] > balance
peisea1382
counterpoise1393
counterweighc1430
ballast1611
evena1618
equilibrate1625
balance1634
poise1639
to hold scale with1650
weigh1697
equipoisea1764
trim1817
to even up1863
the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > comparison > compare [verb (transitive)] > balance against
counterweighc1430
weigha1535
proportion1591
counterbalance1603
scalea1616
appoisea1670
counterpoise1685
tally1702
commeasure1849
benchmark1963
c1430 J. Lydgate tr. Bochas Fall of Princes iii. xvii. 90 a Yf their power wer weyed in balaunce And counterweyed aright in theyr memory.
a1542 T. Wyatt Coll. Poems (1969) xlv. 4 With wordes and chere so contrarieing, Swete and sowre contrewaing.
2. intransitive. To act as a counterpoise or equivalent weight; to weigh evenly (with, against). literal and figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > operation upon something > exert operative influence [verb (intransitive)] > neutralize or counteract
countervail1393
counterpoisec1430
counterweigh1523
the world > relative properties > relationship > equality or equivalence > be or become equal [verb (intransitive)] > balance or be balanced > act as a counterbalance
counterpoisec1430
counterweigh1523
balance1597
to set off1824
1523 J. Skelton Goodly Garlande of Laurell 847 With whose chast lyvyng Your noble demenour is counterwaying.
1545 R. Ascham Toxophilus ii. f. 14v To peece theyr shaftes..wyth brasel, or holye, to counterwey, with the head.
a1568 R. Ascham Let. to E. Raven (T.) If Wrights had ten fellowships of St. John's, it would not counterweigh with the loss of this occasion.
1809 N. Pinkney Trav. South of France 8 To counterweigh against the continental predominance of the French Emperor.
3. transitive. To counterbalance, counterpoise.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > operation upon something > have effect on [verb (transitive)] > neutralize or counteract
fordoc1175
counterpoisec1374
correct1578
countercheck1590
countervail1590
cancel1633
counterbalance1636
counterswaya1640
countermand1645
counter-influence1667
counteract1694
destroy1726
neutralizea1797
counterweigh1825
antagonize1833
mitigate1857
kill1858
the world > relative properties > relationship > equality or equivalence > make equal [verb (transitive)] > balance against or counterbalance
gaina1375
counterpoise1393
peisea1400
weigh1583
set1589
poise1600
to weigh against, again1600
affront1609
balance1624
cancel1633
counterbalance1636
counterpose1636
compensate1656
equilibriatea1657
outset1656
equiponderate1661
equipoise1664
equibalance1665
offset1673
countersway1710
to set off1749
counterweigh1825
equilibrate1829
to set against ——1832
equilibrize1833
the world > relative properties > relationship > equality or equivalence > make equal [verb (transitive)] > balance against or counterbalance > of a thing
counterbalance1611
balance1622
counterweigh1856
counterpoise-
1825 T. Carlyle Life Schiller (1845) ii. 73 The few men of worth..are too disagreeably counterweighed by the baleful swarm of creatures who keep humming round you.
1856 C. Patmore Espousals i, in Angel in House II. 14 If one slight column counterweigh The ocean, 'tis the Maker's law.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1893; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
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