| 释义 |
coun·ter·poise
I. \|kau̇ntə(r)+\ transitive verb
Etymology: alteration (influenced by poise) of Middle English countrepesen, counterpeisen, from Middle French contrepeser, from contre- counter- + peser to weigh — more at poise
1. : to counteract equally : equal in weight, effect, or power : compensate, offset
< sorrow counterpoising happiness at the event >
2.
a. : to bring into a condition of equilibrium or stability
< all parts of the sphere were nicely counterpoised >
b. : to bring into balance by or as if by addition of weight on an opposite side : counterbalance
< scales in which the weight on one side must be counterpoised by a weight in the other — Richard Jefferies >
3. archaic : consider, ponder; especially : to weigh (one consideration) against another — used with with
II. \ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷+\ noun
Etymology: alteration (influenced by poise) of Middle English countrepeis, from Middle French contrepeis, contrepois, from contre- counter- + peis, pois weight — more at poise
1. : a weight acting against another : counterweight: as
a. : that part of the mechanism in some scales that is suspended from the end of a beam upon which weights are placed to counterbalance load on a platform
b. : any weight used to counterbalance some other part of a scale
2. : an equivalent power : an equal force acting in opposition : counterbalance, check
< his robust strength was a counterpoise to the disease >
3. : a state of balance : equilibrium
< the counterpoise of day and night >
4. : balance of a horseman in his saddle
5. : a system of wires or other conductors except the ground forming the lower plate of a radio condenser antenna
6. : an earth conductor usually buried below a transmission line for protection of the line against lightning |