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Webster 1913 Edition

Countervail

Counˊter-vail′

(kounˊt?r-v?l′)
,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Countervailed
(-v?ld)
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Countervailing
.]
[OF.
contrevaloir
;
contre
(L.
contra
) +
valoir
to avail, fr. L.
valere
to be strong, avail. See
Vallant
.]
To act against with equal force, power, or effect; to thwart or overcome by such action; to furnish an equivalent to or for; to counterbalance; to compensate.
Upon balancing the account, the profit at last will hardly
countervail
the inconveniences that go allong with it.
L’Estrange.

Coun′ter-vailˊ

(koun′t?r-v?lˊ)
,
Noun.
Power or value sufficient to obviate any effect; equal weight, strength, or value; equivalent; compensation; requital.
[Obs.]
Surely, the present pleasure of a sinful act is a poor
countervail
for the bitterness of the review.
South.

Webster 1828 Edition

Countervail

COUNTERVAIL

,
Verb.
T.
[counter and L., to avail or be strong.] To act against with equal force, or power; to equal; to act with equivalent effect against any thing; to balance; to compensate.
The profit will hardly countervail the inconveniences.
Although the enemy could not countervail the kings damage. Esther 7.

COUNTERVAIL

,
Noun.
Equal weight or strength; power or value sufficient to obviate any effect; equal weight or value; compensation; requital.

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