countervail
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coun·ter·vail
(koun′tər-vāl′, koun′tər-vāl′)v. coun·ter·vailed, coun·ter·vail·ing, coun·ter·vails
v.tr.
1. To act against with equal force; counteract.
2. To compensate for; offset.
v.intr.
To act against an often detrimental influence or power.
[Middle English countrevaillen, from Old French contrevaloir, contrevail- : contre-, counter- + valoir, to be worth (from Latin valēre, to be strong; see wal- in Indo-European roots).]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
countervail
(ˌkaʊntəˈveɪl; ˈkaʊntəˌveɪl)vb
1. (when: intr, usually foll by against) to act or act against with equal power or force
2. (tr) to make up for; compensate; offset
[C14: from Old French contrevaloir, from Latin contrā valēre, from contrā against + valēre to be strong]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
coun•ter•vail
(ˌkaʊn tərˈveɪl)v.t.
1. to act against with equal power or effect; counteract.
2. to furnish an equivalent of or a compensation for; offset.
3. Archaic. to equal.
v.i. 4. to be of equal force in opposition; avail.
[1350–1400; Middle English < Anglo-French countrevail-, tonic s. (subjunctive) of countrevaloir to equal, be comparable to < Latin phrase contrā valēre to be of worth against (someone or something). See counter-, -valent]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
countervail
Past participle: countervailed
Gerund: countervailing
Imperative |
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countervail |
countervail |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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Verb | 1. | countervail - compensate for or counterbalance; "offset deposits and withdrawals" balance, equilibrise, equilibrize, equilibrate - bring into balance or equilibrium; "She has to balance work and her domestic duties"; "balance the two weights" |
2. | countervail - oppose and mitigate the effects of by contrary actions; "This will counteract the foolish actions of my colleagues" override - counteract the normal operation of (an automatic gear shift in a vehicle) |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
countervail
verb1. To act as an equalizing weight or force to:
2. To make up for:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.