witherweight

== English == === Alternative forms === wither weight, wother weight, widder wecht, wodderweght === Etymology === From wither- (“counter-”) +‎ weight. Compare Middle English witherweȝen (“to counter-weight, counter-balance”). === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈwɪðə(ɹ)ˌweɪt/ === Noun === witherweight (plural witherweights) (archaic, UK dialectal, Scotland) A counterbalancing weight; counterweight. c1665, Sel. Biog. I 265.: It is good to have a speciall care that gifts come not in the ballance with grace; for that is too gross a wither-weight. Lay by the painted case when you weigh the jewell; […] 1672, M. Bruce Rattling Dry Bones 12.: He puts it ay so upon their hand that he gives them it with a wother weight; […]