Counterponderate

/ˌkaʊntərˈpɑndəreɪt/ verb

Definition

To weigh or balance against something; to counterbalance or offset through careful consideration.

Etymology

From counter- + ponderate (from Latin ponderare, to weigh or consider carefully). This is a rare, scholarly term that emerged in 17th-century academic English.

Kelly Says

The word 'ponderate' shares a root with 'ponder' and 'pound'—all from the Latin for 'weigh'—so counterpondeating is literally 'weighing against,' which is why judges speak of 'weighing evidence' when they're counterpondeating arguments.

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