Forms: α. 5 cowntyrpeyce, -peys, countrepeis, 6–7 counterpeiz(e, -peyse, -peyze, -pease, -peaze; 5 countrepase, counterpais, 6 -payse; β. 5 (? cowntyrpoys), 6–7 counterpoyse, 6–8 -poize, 6– -poise. [ME. a. OF. countrepeis, -pais = Central F. contrepois (now -poids), f. contre- against + peis, pois:—L. pensum weight. The original OF. ei, which became in Parisian in 13th c. oi, was retained in Northern French, and gave ei, ai in Anglo-French and English; but towards 1600 the latter adopted the contemporary continental Fr. oi.]
1. A weight that balances another weight, or acts against a force, so as to establish equilibrium; an equal or counterbalancing weight.
α. c. 1430. Lydg., Min. Poems, 50 (Halliw.). The countrepase was light.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 99. Cowyntyrpeyce [K. -peys, 1499 Pynson -poys], hostimentum, libramentum.
1530. Palsgr., 209/2. Counterpayse, contrepoys.
1580. Hollyband, Treas. Fr. Tong, Contrepois, a counterpease.
β. 1598. Florio, Marchio della stadera, a counterpoise, anie thing put in the ballances or scales to make euen waight.
1660. Boyle, New Exp. Phys.-Mech., xxxiv. 259. We put a Metalline counterpoise into the opposite Scale.
1793. Smeaton, Edystone L., 195. These … are of the same weight, and therefore a counterpoize to each other.
1824. ‘R. Stuart,’ Hist. Steam Engine, 143. The counterpoise at the other end of the lever-beam raises the pistons to the top of their respective cylinders.
1868. Lockyer, Elem. Astron., 250. Wheels and counterpoises … to facilitate the raising of the telescope when the collimators … are examined.
2. transf. and fig. Something of equivalent force, effect or weight on the opposite side; that which serves as a counter-balance or set-off.
α. 1430. Pilgr. Lyf Manhode, VI. xlix. (1869), 199. Þat j shal fynde in þis place countrepeis and equipollence of þe hegge of penitence.
1585. Parsons, Chr. Exerc., II. iii. 290. The greeuous counterpeaze of discontentmentes, that euerie worldly plesure hath with it.
a. 1628. F. Greville, Sidney (1652), 27. A Protestant party, rais’d … to be a ballance or counterpease to that dangerous Heptarchy of Spain.
β. 1580. North, Plutarch (1676), 137. Who … put (as a man will say) a counterpoise into the ballance.
1625. Bacon, Ess., Empire (Arb.), 307. Their Second Nobles … are a Counterpoize to the Higher Nobility, that they grow not too Potent.
1684. Contempl. St. Man, I. ii. (1692), 21. There is no felicity upon Earth which carries not its counterpoise of Misfortunes.
1719. Young, Revenge, II. i. O jealousy … thou grand counterpoize For all the transports beauty can inspire!
1859. Mill, Liberty, iii. (1865), 39/1. The counterpoise and corrective to that tendency.
1863. Geo. Eliot, Romola, I. ix. There was no counterpoise or rival to Politian.
† b. A compensation, equivalent. Obs.
1590. Greene, Mourn. Garm., Ded. (1616), 3. If your Honour shall but … partly like it, the end of my labours [shall] haue a condigne counterpoise.
1601. Shaks., All’s Well, II. iii. 182. Tell her she is thine: to whom I promise A counterpoize, if not to thy estate A ballance more repleat.
3. The state of being balanced; equilibrium.
α. 1594. Plat, Jewell-ho., III. 61. If there be a true counterpeize giuen to a short tallow candle.
1602. Carew, Cornwall (1723), 151 b. With … so equall a counterpeyze, that the push of a finger will sensibly moue it too and fro.
β. 1591. Sylvester, Du Bartas, I. iii. 415. All Climats then should not be serv’d aright With equall Counterpoiz of day and night.
1664. Power, Exp. Philos., II. 105. After a few vibrations up and down … they arrive at a Counterpoise.
1667. Milton, P. L., IV. 1001. The pendulous round Earth with ballanc’t Aire In counterpoise.
b. fig.
1645. Milton, Tetrach. (1851), 222. Others coming without authority from God, shall change this counterpoise.
1835. I. Taylor, Spir. Despot., ii. 36. These … antagonistic principles are in a state of doubtful counterpoise throughout Christendom.
1856. Emerson, Eng. Traits, Lit., Wks. II. 115. The … two styles of mind … are ever in counterpoise.
c. In the manége: The due balance and equilibrium of a rider in his seat.
1727. in Bailey (vol. II.).
4. attrib.
1469. Plumpton Corr., 21. A counterpais wheith of the wheight stone that the wooll was weyed with.
1765. Ludlam, in Phil. Trans., LV. 208. Before the counterpoise steel pin and loop are put on.
