counterpoise

noun
/ˈkaʊntə(ɹ)ˌpɔɪz/

Etymology

From Old French contrepois, contrepeser, later assimilated to poise.

  1. derived from contrepois

Definitions

  1. A weight sufficient to balance another, for example in the opposite end of scales

    A weight sufficient to balance another, for example in the opposite end of scales; an equal weight.

  2. An effect of equal power or force acting in opposition

    An effect of equal power or force acting in opposition; a force sufficient to balance another force or influence

    • This necessary counterpoise, the affectionate and simple-minded will readily conceive, would arise to Louisa from the absence of those "dear familiar faces" which had hitherto constituted her world.
  3. The relation of two weights or forces which balance each other

    The relation of two weights or forces which balance each other; equilibrium

  4. + 2 more definitions
    1. To act against with equal weight

      To act against with equal weight; to equal in weight; to balance the weight of; to counterbalance.

      • Weights, counterpoising one another.
    2. To act against with equal power

      To act against with equal power; to balance.

      • So many freeholders of English […]will be able to beard, and to counterpoise the rest.

The neighborhood

Vish — recursive loop

A definitional loop anchored at counterpoise. Each word in the ring is defined by the next; follow the chain far enough and it folds back on itself. Scroll to it and watch.

01counterpoise02weights03barbells04barbell05counterpoised

A definitional loop anchored at counterpoise. Each word in the ring appears in the definition of the next; follow the chain far enough and it folds back on itself.

5 hops · closes at counterpoise

curated · pre-corpus. live cycle detection across the full graph is the next major milestone.

sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA