counterpoise
noun
[ ˈkaʊntəpɔɪz ]
• a factor or force that balances or neutralizes another.
• "the organization sees the power of Brussels as a counterpoise to that of London"
counterpoise
verb
• have an opposing and balancing effect on.
• "they make a delightful couple, his gentle intellectuality counterpoised by her firm practicality"
Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French contrepois from contre ‘against’ + pois from Latin pensum ‘weight’. Compare with poise1. The verb, originally counterpeise, from Old French contrepeser, was altered under the influence of the noun in the 16th century.
