好词典

counterweight

UK //ˈkaʊntəweɪt//US //ˈkaʊntərweɪt//

词源

源自counter-(反) + weight(重量),15世纪晚期进入英语,最初指用于平衡的物理重量,后引申为抽象平衡概念。

noun

❶ 配重物,指用于平衡另一物体重量或力量的物体,常见于机械装置或天平中。

“The crane uses a heavy counterweight to maintain stability.”

(起重机使用重型配重来保持稳定性。)

“A counterweight is essential for the safe operation of elevators.”

(配重对于电梯的安全运行至关重要。)

❶ 比喻性用法,指用于抵消或平衡某种力量、影响的事物或因素。

“The new policy acts as a counterweight to inflation.”

(新政策起到了抵消通货膨胀的作用。)

“Her calm demeanor was a counterweight to his impulsive nature.”

(她冷静的举止平衡了他冲动的性格。)

同义词:balance, counterbalance, offset, equalizer, stabilizer

verb

❶ 通过增加重量或力量来平衡另一物体或影响。

“The designers counterweighted the door to make it easier to open.”

(设计师给门加了配重使其更容易开启。)

“We need to counterweight the negative effects of the decision.”

(我们需要抵消这个决定的负面影响。)

同义词:balance, offset, compensate, counterbalance, neutralize

常见短语

act as a counterweight — 起到平衡或抵消作用,常用于描述某种力量或因素对另一种力量的制衡。

“The new regulations act as a counterweight to corporate greed.”

(新法规起到了遏制企业贪婪的作用。)

counterweight system — 配重系统,指由多个配重组成的机械平衡装置。

“The theater's stage uses an advanced counterweight system.”

(剧院的舞台采用了先进的配重系统。)