different between obstruction vs counterbalance

English

Etymology

From Latin obstructio (“hindrance”), from obstruo (“build against, block, stop”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?b?st??k.??n/

Noun

obstruction (countable and uncountable, plural obstructions)

1. The act of obstructing, or state of being obstructed.
2. Something which obstructs or impedes, either intentionally or unintentionally

   Synonyms: obstacle, impediment, hindrance

3. The condition of having the natural powers obstructed in their usual course; the arrest of the vital functions; death.

Synonyms

• block
• hindrance
• impedance
• roadblock
• stop
• See also Thesaurus:hindrance

Derived terms

• deobstruction

Translations

French

Etymology

From Latin obstr?cti?.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?p.st?yk.sj??/

Noun

obstruction f (plural obstructions)

1. block (something that prevents passing)
2. obstruction

Further reading

• “obstruction” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

Interlingua

Noun

obstruction (plural obstructiones)

1. obstruction

English

Etymology

counter- +? balance.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?ka?nt?(?)?bæl?ns/

Noun

counterbalance (plural counterbalances)

1. (literally) A weight that is put in opposition to an equal weight so it keeps that in balance.
2. (figuratively) A force or influence that balances, checks or limits an opposite one.

Synonyms

• counterpoise
• counterweight

Translations

Verb

counterbalance (third-person singular simple present counterbalances, present participle counterbalancing, simple past and past participle counterbalanced)

1. (transitive) To apply weight in order to balance an opposing weight.
   • 1660, Robert Boyle, New Experiments Physico-Mechanical: Touching the Spring of the Air and their Effects

   Synonyms: counterpoise, equiponderate, counterweight

   Hypernym: offset

   Antonym: outweigh

2. (transitive, figuratively) To match or equal in effect when applying opposing force

   Synonyms: counterpoise, counteract

   Antonyms: overcome, overpower

Translations