First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1counterpoise
verb coun·ter·poise \-ˌpȯiz\
Definition of COUNTERPOISE
transitive verb
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Examples of COUNTERPOISE
- <her overall healthiness largely counterpoised the virulence of the infection>
Origin of COUNTERPOISE
Middle English countrepesen, from Anglo-French contrepeser, from cuntre- + peser to weigh — more at poise
Related to COUNTERPOISE
- Synonyms
- annul, cancel (out), compensate (for), correct, counteract, counterbalance, offset, make up (for), negative, neutralize
Rhymes with COUNTERPOISE
2counterpoise
noun
Definition of COUNTERPOISE
1
2
: an equivalent power or force acting in opposition
3
: a state of balance
Examples of COUNTERPOISE
- <a musical piece with a counterpoise of loud and soft passages>
- <the happiness brought by a new baby was a timely counterpoise to the grief occasioned by a death in the family>
First Known Use of COUNTERPOISE
15th century
Related to COUNTERPOISE
- Synonyms
- balance, equilibration, equilibrium, equipoise, poise, stasis
- Antonyms
- disequilibration, disequilibrium, imbalance, nonequilibrium, unbalance
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