counterbalance
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counterbalance
- /ˌkaʊntəˈbæləns/ UK
- /ˌkaʊntɚˈbæləns/ US
Where it comes from
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *ḱe?
Proto-Indo-European *ḱóm
Proto-Italic *kom
Proto-Italic *kom-
Proto-Indo-European *-teros
Proto-Italic *-teros
Proto-Italic *komterosder.
Proto-Italic *komterād
Latin contrāder.
Old French contre-
Anglo-Norman countre-bor.
Middle English counter-
English counter-
Proto-Indo-European *dwóh₁
Proto-Indo-European *dwi-
Proto-Italic *dwi-
Latin bi-
Latin lanx
Latin bilanx
Vulgar Latin *bilancia
Old French balancebor.
Middle English balaunce
English balance
English counterbalance
From counter- + balance.
noun counterbalances
- A weight that is put in opposition to an equal weight so it keeps that in balance.
- A force or influence that balances, checks or limits an opposite one.
Similar: counterpoise, counterweight, equipoise
verb counterbalances · counterbalancing · counterbalanced
- To apply weight in order to balance an opposing weight. Big brother counterbalances his two siblings to the pound.
- To match or equal in effect when applying opposing force. Arm wrestling is undecided as long as the opponents counterbalance each other.
