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makeweight

[ meyk-weyt ]

/ ˈmeɪkˌweɪt /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR makeweight ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

something put in a scale to complete a required weight.

anything added to supply a lack.

Origin of makeweight

First recorded in 1685–95; make¹ + weight

Words nearby makeweight

maker, maker's mark, makerspace, makeshift, makeup, makeweight, makeyevka, makhachkala, makhlouf, maki, maki-zushi

Example sentences from the Web for makeweight

They are men of prudence, and persuade E. to go with them, as a makeweight.

Some Private Views |James Payn
They will all wish to make of us a makeweight candle, when they are making out their pounds.

The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution (Volume VI) |Various
They therefore subscribed a half-dollar piece each, in coin, as a sort of makeweight.

On the Spanish Main |John Masefield
Into scales of doubt, equally balanced, he should be ready to throw his lyre, as a makeweight.

Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Volume 1, No. 3, August, 1850. |Various

Yon apple was meant to live an' bear fruit; the bonny apple's juist the makeweight.

Captivity |M. Leonora Eyles

British Dictionary definitions for makeweight

makeweight

/ (ˈmeɪkˌweɪt) /

noun

something put on a scale to make up a required weight

an unimportant person or thing added to make up a lack