noun / verb
counterpoise
KOWN-ter-poyz/ˈkaʊntərˌpɔɪz/
A weight or influence that balances another, or to balance something this way.
A heavy concrete block acts as a counterpoise to the load.
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.
In context
whether the undoubted gain of advancing knowledge has not a somewhat heavy counterpoise of loss
More examples
- Her caution serves as a counterpoise to his enthusiasm.
- Engineers counterpoise the platform with weights beneath the frame.
- The two opposing forces are perfectly counterpoised.
Forms
counterpoise · counterpoises · counterpoised · counterpoising
Similar words
- counterweight
- Usually emphasizes a physical weight rather than an opposing influence.
- counterbalance
- A more common term for balancing weights, forces, or influences.