Definitions for: Countervail

[v] oppose and mitigate the effects of by contrary actions; "This will counteract the foolish actions of my colleagues"
[v] compensate for or counterbalance; "offset deposits and withdrawals"

Webster (1913) Definition: 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.

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

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.]

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

Synonyms: counteract, counterbalance, neutralize, offset

See Also: balance, cancel, equilibrate, equilibrise, equilibrize, offset, override, set off

Try our:
Scrabble Word Finder

Scrabble Cheat

Words With Friends Cheat

Hanging With Friends Cheat

Scramble With Friends Cheat

Ruzzle Cheat

Related Resources:
animals starting with n
animals beginning with d