Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Countervail

Counˊter-vail′

(kounˊt?r-v?l′)
,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Countervailed
(-v?ld)
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Countervailing
.]
[OF.
contrevaloir
;
contre
(L.
contra
) +
valoir
to avail, fr. L.
valere
to be strong, avail. See
Vallant
.]
To act against with equal force, power, or effect; to thwart or overcome by such action; to furnish an equivalent to or for; to counterbalance; to compensate.
Upon balancing the account, the profit at last will hardly
countervail
the inconveniences that go allong with it.
L’Estrange.

Coun′ter-vailˊ

(koun′t?r-v?lˊ)
,
Noun.
Power or value sufficient to obviate any effect; equal weight, strength, or value; equivalent; compensation; requital.
[Obs.]
Surely, the present pleasure of a sinful act is a poor
countervail
for the bitterness of the review.
South.

Webster 1828 Edition


Countervail

COUNTERVAIL

,
Verb.
T.
[counter and L., to avail or be strong.] To act against with equal force, or power; to equal; to act with equivalent effect against any thing; to balance; to compensate.
The profit will hardly countervail the inconveniences.
Although the enemy could not countervail the kings damage. Esther 7.

COUNTERVAIL

,
Noun.
Equal weight or strength; power or value sufficient to obviate any effect; equal weight or value; compensation; requital.

Definition 2024


countervail

countervail

English

Verb

countervail (third-person singular simple present countervails, present participle countervailing, simple past and past participle countervailed)

  1. (obsolete) To have the same value as.
  2. To counteract, counterbalance or neutralize.
  3. To compensate for.

Translations