different between counterweight vs counterpart

English

Etymology

counter- +? weight

Noun

counterweight (plural counterweights)

1. A heavy mass of often iron or concrete, mechanically linked in opposition to a load which is to be raised and lowered, with the intent of reducing the amount of work which must be done to effect the raising and lowering. Counterweights are used, for example, in cable-hauled elevators and some kinds of movable bridges (e.g. a bascule bridge).

Translations

Verb

counterweight (third-person singular simple present counterweights, present participle counterweighting, simple past and past participle counterweighted)

1. (transitive) To fit with a counterweight.

English

Etymology

Recorded since 1451, originally as countre part "duplicate of a legal document", from Old French contrepartie, itself from contre (“facing, opposite”) (from Latin contra (“against”)) + partie (“copy of a person or thing”) (originally past participle of part?re (“to divide”)). Equivalent to counter- +? part.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?ka?nt??p??t/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?ka?nt??p??t/

Noun

counterpart (plural counterparts)

1. Either of two parts that fit together, or complement one another.

   Those brass knobs and their hollow counterparts interlock perfectly
2. (law) A duplicate of a legal document.
3. One which resembles another
4. One which has corresponding functions or characteristics.
5. (paleontology) Either half of a flattened fossil when the rock has split along the plane of the fossil.

Synonyms

• equivalent
• homolog
• opposite number
• pendant

Related terms

• counterbalance
• counterpoint
• countersign
• counterweight
• complement
• partner

Translations

Verb

counterpart (third-person singular simple present counterparts, present participle counterparting, simple past and past participle counterparted)

1. Counterbalance.