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counterpoise

[koun-ter-poiz]

Origin

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noun

a counterbalancing weight.

any equal and opposing power or force.

the state of being in equilibrium; balance.

Radio. a network of wires or other conductors connected to the base of an antenna, used as a substitute for the ground connection.

verb (used with object)

to balance by an opposing weight; counteract by an opposing force.

to bring into equilibrium.

Archaic. to weigh (one thing) against something else; consider carefully.

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to spend time idly; loaf.

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Origin:
1375–1425; counter- + poise¹; replacing late Middle English countrepeis < Anglo-French, equivalent to Old French contrepois

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To counterpoise

Collins

World English Dictionary

counterpoise (ˈkaʊntəˌpɔɪz)

—n
1.	a force, influence, etc, that counterbalances another
2.	a state of balance; equilibrium
3.	a weight that balances another
4.	a radial array of metallic wires, rods, or tubes arranged horizontally around the base of a vertical aerial to increase its transmitting efficiency

—vb
5.	to oppose with something of equal effect, weight, or force; offset
6.	to bring into equilibrium
7.	archaic to consider (one thing) carefully in relation to another

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

counterpoise

early 15c., from O.Fr. countrepeis, from contre- "against" (see contra) + peis, from L. pensum "weight," noun use of neuter pp. of pendere "to weigh" (see pendant).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia

counterpoise

in electronics, portion of an antenna system that is composed of wires or other types of conductor arranged in a circular pattern at the base of the antenna at a certain distance above ground. Insulated from the ground, it forms the lower system of antenna conductors. It is used in places where it is difficult to obtain a good ground (e.g., where there is extremely rocky soil). A combination of counterpoise and buried-wire grounds is also possible

Learn more about counterpoise with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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Related Words

balance counterbalance counterweigh

equilibrate equipoise steelyard

Matching Quote

"It's just a game—baseball—an amusement, a marginal thing, not an art, not a consequential metaphor for life, not a public trust. It may have broken Bart Giamatti's sentimental heart, but it will never break mine.... In its behind-the-scenes machinations as sport, baseball has developed unexpected ties to big-time professional wrestling, with that strange spectacle's buffoonish, self-important, overstuffed Steinbrennerish management types spouting gibberish about the best interests of this and such and the need for moral direction, all in counterpoise to sullenly big-muscled, bad-boy superstars nattering and snuffling about not getting any respect and not being in it for the dough, and being in it for the dough."

-Richard Ford

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counterpoise

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