counterpoise
/ˈkaʊntə(ɹ)ˌpɔɪz/
"counterpoise" is a 12-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.
The verdict
“counterpoise” is uncommon English (outside the top frequency list), classed as a noun. The kind of spelling people second-guess.
- Unranked
- below top-frequency English
- 12
- letters
According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed September 3, 2026) - A weight sufficient to balance another, for example in the opposite end of scales; an equal weight.
Corpus desk
Index EN-counterpoise · counterpoise · English
counterpoise · unranked · 0 variants · 0 confusables
- FREQ-UNRANKED Unranked
- LEN-MEGA 12 letters
- VOW-6 6 vowels
- CONFUS-0 No pairs
- VAR-0 0 variants
- BOOK-THIN "C" thin
- PHOTO-UNK Peer pending
Read with this headword: Spelling guide for this pattern
Desk codes from Wiktionary headword shape, FrequencyWords rank tier, confusable-pair count, generated misspelling depth, letter-cohort book size, and photo-finish peer. Not a difficulty grade.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Headword | counterpoise |
| Language | English |
| Part of speech | Noun |
| IPA | /ˈkaʊntə(ɹ)ˌpɔɪz/ |
| Letters | 12 |
| Misspellings tracked | 0 |
| Confusable pairs | 0 |
| Source | Wiktionary (kaikki.org) |
Long-tail rank of “counterpoise” in English
Rare enough to double-check
counterpoise is uncommon English outside the top frequency list, classed as anoun, transcribed /ˈkaʊntə(ɹ)ˌpɔɪz/. Rarity is why readers land here mid-draft. 3 senses are on record.
We couldn't generate a plausible misspelling set for counterpoise, which points to an orthography that plays by predictable English rules. No confusable counterpart is on file for this word, since its spelling is unusual enough that it doesn't cluster with a lookalike.
Etymologically, the entry records: From Old French contrepois, contrepeser, later assimilated to poise. The correct English form is counterpoise, spelled C-O-U-N-T-E-R-P-O-I-S-E.
Definition
- 1A weight sufficient to balance another, for example in the opposite end of scales; an equal weight.
- 2An effect of equal power or force acting in opposition; a force sufficient to balance another force or influence
- 3The relation of two weights or forces which balance each other; equilibrium
Recorded use
Wiktionary exampleThese source excerpts show how counterpoise appears in context. They illustrate usage; the definition above remains the entry’s reference meaning.
This necessary counterpoise, the affectionate and simple-minded will readily conceive, would arise to Louisa from the absence of those "dear familiar faces" which had hitherto constituted her world.
Etymology
From Old French contrepois, contrepeser, later assimilated to poise.
Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.