countervail

verb

Etymology: From Anglo-Norman countrevaloir (Old French contrevaloir), from Latin contrā valēre (“to be strong against”).

1. To have the same value or number as.

   “Nay could their numbers counteruaile the ſtars Or [euer] driſling drops of April ſhowers, Or withered leaues that Autume ſhaketh down, Yet would the Souldane by his conquering power: So ſcatter and conſume them in his rage, That not a man ſhal liue to rue their fall.”

2. To counter, counteract, counterbalance, neutralize, or negate.

   “It cannot counteruaile the exchange of joy / That one ſhort minute giues me in her ſight:”

   “[…] should I find thine ear closed and thy heart hardened, what hope for myself could countervail the despair for thee?”

3. To compensate for.

   “I am one of those who thinke their fruit can no way countervaile this losse.”

   “countervail a very confiderable Advantage to all Men of Letters”