from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Counterpoise \Coun"ter*poise`\ (koun"t?r-poiz`; 277), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. {Counterpoised} (-poizd`); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Counterpoising}.] [OE. countrepesen, counterpeisen, F.
contrepeser. See {Counter}, adv., and {Poise}, v. t. ]
1. To act against with equal weight; to equal in weight; to
balance the weight of; to counterbalance.
[1913 Webster]
Weights, counterpoising one another. --Sir K.
Digby.
[1913 Webster]
2. To act against with equal power; to balance.
[1913 Webster]
So many freeholders of English will be able to beard
and counterpoise the rest. --Spenser.
[1913 Webster]