countervail

Verb
Synonyms: offsetcounteractneutralizecounterbalance

WordNet 3.0

Verb (2)

  1. compensate for or counterbalance“offset deposits and withdrawals”Synonyms: offset
  2. oppose and mitigate the effects of by contrary actions“This will counteract the foolish actions of my colleagues”Synonyms: counteractneutralizecounterbalance
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Countervail \Coun`ter*vail"\ (koun`t?r-v?l"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Countervailed (-v?ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Countervailing.] [OF. contrevaloir; contre (L. contra) + valoir to avail, fr. L. valere to be strong, avail. See Vallant.] To act against with equal force, power, or effect; to thwart or overcome by such action; to furnish an equivalent to or for; to counterbalance; to compensate. [1913 Webster]

Upon balancing the account, the profit at last will hardly countervail the inconveniences that go allong with it. --L'Estrange. [1913 Webster]

Countervail \Coun"ter*vail`\ (koun"t?r-v?l`), n. Power or value sufficient to obviate any effect; equal weight, strength, or value; equivalent; compensation; requital. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Surely, the present pleasure of a sinful act is a poor countervail for the bitterness of the review. --South. [1913 Webster]

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