counterpoise
counterpoise — noun
- counterpoisesingular
- counterpoisesplural
1. a weight or force that pushes back against another one so that the two stay even
a weight or force that pushes back against another one so that the two stay even, or anything that works to cancel out the effect of something else
The clock used a heavy brass counterpoise to keep its swinging arm steady.
concrete weight that balances a moving part
Baraka hung a small sandbag as a counterpoise so the crane would not tip over.
a counterpoise so [result] for balancing a load
In many countries a free press acts as a counterpoise to a powerful president.
Élise added two iron blocks as a counterpoise to the long wooden beam.
The mayor argued that strong town councils serve as a counterpoise to a distant capital.
- counterbalance
the most common everyday equivalent; less literary
- counterweight
physical only — a weight, not an abstract force
- offset
stresses cancelling out an effect rather than holding even
文法句型
a counterpoise to [something]
用法筆記
Object of the preposition 'to' is what is being balanced or opposed; often used figuratively of power, influence, or authority, not only physical weight.
常見錯誤
counterpoise — verb
- counterpoisepresent simple I / you / we / they
- counterpoises3rd person singular
- counterpoising-ing form
- counterpoisedpast simple
1. to balance one thing against another, or to work against a force so that its eff
to balance one thing against another, or to work against a force so that its effect is cancelled or made even
The engineer counterpoised the heavy door with a weight hidden inside the frame.
counterpoise [object] with [weight]
Haruto counterpoised the cost of the trip against the joy it would bring his children.
counterpoise [X] against [Y] for weighing two things
Omar plays calm music at night to counterpoise the stress of his long shifts.
Apinya counterpoised the long pole carefully before walking across the rope.
Wise leaders counterpoise the wishes of business against the needs of ordinary people.
- counterbalance
near-identical meaning, slightly more common
- offset
focuses on reducing or cancelling an effect
- balance
plainer and far more frequent in speech
文法句型
counterpoise [something] with/against [something]
用法筆記
Frequently passive or used with 'against' to set two opposing things side by side; the literary tone makes it rare in everyday speech, where 'balance' or 'offset' is preferred.