Etymology dictionary. 2014.
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… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
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 Collaborative International Dictionary of English
countervail — I verb abrogate, act against with equal force, agitate against, alter, avail against, balance, be contrary, cancel, cancel out, check, conflict with, confute, contradict, contravene, counter, counteract, counterpoise, cross, damage, destroy,… … Law dictionary
countervail — vb offset, balance, *compensate, counterbalance, counterpoise Analogous words: *correct (sense 1): counteract, *neutralize, negative: overcome, surmount (see CONQUER): foil, thwart, *frustrate … New Dictionary of Synonyms
countervail — ► VERB (usu. countervailing) ▪ offset the effect of (something) by countering it with something of equal force. ORIGIN from Latin contra valere be of worth against … English terms dictionary
countervail — [kount΄ər vāl′, kount′ər vāl΄] vt. [ME countrevailen < OFr contrevaloir < contre (see COUNTER2) + valoir, to avail < L valere, to be strong: see VALUE] 1. to make up for; compensate 2. to counteract; be successful, useful, etc. against;… … English World dictionary
countervail — To counterbalance; to avail against with equal force or virtue; to compensate for, or serve as an equivalent of or substitute for countervailing equity (equity) @ countervail livery At common law, a release was a form of transfer of real estate… … Black's law dictionary
countervail — To counterbalance; to avail against with equal force or virtue; to compensate for, or serve as an equivalent of or substitute for countervailing equity (equity) @ countervail livery At common law, a release was a form of transfer of real estate… … Black's law dictionary
countervail — verb Etymology: Middle English countrevailen, from Anglo French cuntrevaloir, from cuntre counter + valoir to be worth, from Latin valēre more at wield Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. to compensate for 2 … New Collegiate Dictionary
countervail — /kown teuhr vayl /, v.t. 1. to act or avail against with equal power, force, or effect; counteract. 2. to furnish an equivalent of or a compensation for; offset. 3. Archaic. to equal. v.i. 4. to be of equal force in opposition; avail. [1350 1400; … Universalium
