counterbalance
|coun-ter-bal-ance|
🇺🇸
/ˈkaʊntərˌbæləns/
🇬🇧
/ˈkaʊntəˌbæləns/
balance against
Etymology
'counterbalance' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'countrebalancen,' where 'countre-' meant 'against' and 'balancen' meant 'to balance.'
'countrebalancen' transformed into the modern English word 'counterbalance' through the influence of French.
Initially, it meant 'to balance against,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a weight or force that balances another.
The counterbalance on the scale ensures accurate measurements.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Verb 1
to offset or balance something by exerting an opposite force or influence.
The new policy was designed to counterbalance the economic downturn.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/02/06 10:35