Counterbalance /(-b?l"ans)/

Coun·ter·bal·ance

Counterbalance

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Counterbalanced; p. pr. & vb. n. Counterbalancing

  1. 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.
    The study of mind is necessary to counterbalance and correct the influence of the study of nature.

Counterbalance

n.
  1. A weight, power, or agency, acting against or balancing another
    Money is the counterbalance to all other things purchasable by it.