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Webster 1913 Edition

Counterbalance

Counˊter-bal′ance

(-b?l′ans)
,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Counterbalanced
(-anst)
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Counterbalancing
.]
To oppose with an equal weight or power; to counteract the power or effect of; to countervail; to equiponderate; to balance.
The remaining air was not able to
counterbalance
the mercurial cylinder.
Boyle.
The study of mind is necessary to
counterbalance
and correct the influence of the study of nature.
Sir W. Hamilton.

Coun′ter-balˊance

(koun′t?r-b?lˊans)
,
Noun.
A weight, power, or agency, acting against or balancing another
; as:
(a)
A mass of metal in one side of a driving wheel or fly wheel, to balance the weight of a crank pin, etc., on the opposite side of the wheel
.
(b)
A counterpoise to balance the weight of anything, as of a drawbridge or a scale beam.
Money is the
counterbalance
to all other things purchasable by it.
Locke.

Webster 1828 Edition

Counterbalance

COUNTERBALANCE

,
Verb.
T.
[counter and balance.] To weigh against; to weigh against with an equal weight; to act against with equal power or effect; to countervail A column of thirty inches of quicksilver, and a column of thirty-two feet of water, counterbalance the weight of a like column of the whole atmosphere. The pleasures of sin never counterbalance the pain, misery and shame which follow the commission of it.

COUNTERBALANCE

,
Noun.
Equal weight, power or agency acting in opposition to any thing.
Money is the counterbalance of all things purchasable.

Definition 2024

counterbalance

counterbalance

English

Noun

counterbalance ‎(plural counterbalances)

  1. (literally) A weight that is put in opposition to an equal weight so it keeps that in balance.
  2. (figuratively) A force or influence that balances, checks or limits an opposite one.

Synonyms

Translations

Verb

counterbalance ‎(third-person singular simple present counterbalances, present participle counterbalancing, simple past and past participle counterbalanced)

  1. (transitive) To apply weight in order to balance an opposing weight.
    Big brother counterbalances his two siblings to the pound.
    • Boyle
      The remaining air was not able to counterbalance the mercurial cylinder.
  2. (transitive) To apply force in order to balance an opposite one.
    Arm wrestling is undecided as long as the opponents counterbalance each-other
  3. (transitive, figuratively) To match or equal in effect, but acting in opposition
    The defenders' knowledge of the terrain roughly counterbalances the attackers' superior equipment
    • Sir W. Hamilton
      The study of mind is necessary to counterbalance and correct the influence of the study of nature.
    • 1992, Rudolf M. Schuster, The Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of North America: East of the Hundredth Meridian, volume V, page ix
      A considerable effort has been made in these volumes to counterbalance this activity by introducing the student to the plants as living entities with a "life of their own," as Spruce put it.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Translations

Etymology

counter- +‎ balance.

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