Coun"ter*poise` (koun"t?r-poiz`; 277), v.
t. [imp. & p. p. Counterpoised
(-poizd`); p. pr. & vb. n.
Counterpoising.] [OE. countrepesen,
counterpeisen, F. contrepeser. See Counter,
adv., and Poise, v. t.
] 1. To act against with equal weight; to
equal in weight; to balance the weight of; to
counterbalance.
Weights, counterpoising one another.
Sir K. Digby.
2. To act against with equal power; to
balance.
So many freeholders of English will be able to
beard and counterpoise the rest.
Spenser.
Coun"ter*poise` (koun"t?r-poiz`),
n. [OE. countrepese, OF.
contrepois, F. contrepods. See Counter,
adv., and Poise, n.]
1. A weight sufficient to balance another,
as in the opposite scale of a balance; an equal weight.
Fastening that to our exact balance, we put a
metalline counterpoise into the opposite scale.
Boyle.
2. An equal power or force acting in
opposition; a force sufficient to balance another
force.
The second nobles are a counterpoise to the
higher nobility, that they grow not too potent.
Bacon.
3. The relation of two weights or forces
which balance each other; equilibrium; equiponderance.
The pendulous round eart, with balanced air,
In counterpoise.
Milton.