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Webster 1913 Edition

Counterbalance

Counˊter-bal′ance

(-b?l′ans)
,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Counterbalanced
(-anst)
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Counterbalancing
.]
To oppose with an equal weight or power; to counteract the power or effect of; to countervail; to equiponderate; to balance.
The remaining air was not able to
counterbalance
the mercurial cylinder.
Boyle.
The study of mind is necessary to
counterbalance
and correct the influence of the study of nature.
Sir W. Hamilton.

Coun′ter-balˊance

(koun′t?r-b?lˊans)
,
Noun.
A weight, power, or agency, acting against or balancing another
; as:
(a)
A mass of metal in one side of a driving wheel or fly wheel, to balance the weight of a crank pin, etc., on the opposite side of the wheel
.
(b)
A counterpoise to balance the weight of anything, as of a drawbridge or a scale beam.
Money is the
counterbalance
to all other things purchasable by it.
Locke.

Webster 1828 Edition

Counterbalance

COUNTERBALANCE

,
Verb.
T.
[counter and balance.] To weigh against; to weigh against with an equal weight; to act against with equal power or effect; to countervail A column of thirty inches of quicksilver, and a column of thirty-two feet of water, counterbalance the weight of a like column of the whole atmosphere. The pleasures of sin never counterbalance the pain, misery and shame which follow the commission of it.

COUNTERBALANCE

,
Noun.
Equal weight, power or agency acting in opposition to any thing.
Money is the counterbalance of all things purchasable.

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