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.

Weights, counterpoising one another. --Sir K. Digby.

2. To act against with equal power; to balance.

So many freeholders of English will be able to beard and counterpoise the rest. --Spenser.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)