n. & v.
--n.
1. a force etc. equivalent to another on the opposite side.
2 a state of equilibrium.
3 a counterbalancing weight.
--v.tr.
1. counterbalance.
2 compensate.
3 bring into or keep in equilibrium.
Etymology: ME f. OF contrepeis, -pois, contrepeser (as COUNTER-, peis, pois f. L pensum weight: cf. POISE(1))