countervail

[ koun-ter-veyl ]
/ ˌkaʊn tərˈveɪl /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR countervail ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to act or avail against with equal power, force, or effect; counteract.
to furnish an equivalent of or a compensation for; offset.
Archaic. to equal.

verb (used without object)

to be of equal force in opposition; avail.

Origin of countervail

1350–1400; Middle English contrevailen < Anglo-French countrevail-, tonic stem (subjunctive) of countrevaloir to equal, be comparable to < Latin phrase contrā valēre to be of worth against (someone or something). See counter-, -valent

OTHER WORDS FROM countervail

un·coun·ter·vailed, adjective

Words nearby countervail

countertraction, countertrade, countertransference, counterturn, countertype, countervail, countervailing duty, counterview, counterweigh, counterweight, counterword

Words related to countervail

counterpoise, invalidate, neutralize, undo, nullify, counterbalance, counteract, balance

Example sentences from the Web for countervail

British Dictionary definitions for countervail

countervail
/ (ˌkaʊntəˈveɪl, ˈkaʊntəˌveɪl) /

verb

(when intr, usually foll by against) to act or act against with equal power or force
(tr) to make up for; compensate; offset

Word Origin for countervail

C14: from Old French contrevaloir, from Latin contrā valēre, from contrā against + valēre to be strong