v.
Pronunciation: ˌ kau ̇ n-t ə r- ' v ā l
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English countrevailen, from Anglo-French cuntrevaloir, from cuntre- counter- + valoir to be worth, from Latin val ē re ― more at WIELD
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 : to compensate for
2 archaic : EQUAL , MATCH
3 : to exert force against : COUNTERACT
intransitive verb : to exert force against an opposing and often bad or harmful force or influence