DictionaryRoot: pensum
Latin
pensum
weight
1 / 1
noun / verb
counterpoise
KOWN-ter-poyz/ˈkaʊntərˌpɔɪz/
A weight or influence that balances another, or to balance something this way.
Etymology
A “weight against” another weight holds it in balance. The same image applies to opposing powers or forces: a counterpoise offsets another force rather than merely resisting it.