Counterpoise

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

imp. & p. p. Counterpoised; p. pr. & vb. n. Counterpoising

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.

02 n. A weight sufficient to balance another, as in the opposite scale of a balance; an equal weight.

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.