overpoise

1. figurativelyuncountableThat which outweighs; excessive weight.

   I recognised The moths, with that great overpoise of wings Which makes a mystery of them how at all They can stop flying: […]

   1856, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Aurora Leigh, Book 7, p. 272

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   And I hope, the known avowed use and experience of such great Men, and those in so great a number, is an abundant overpoise to the contrary Affirmation of this, or any other Novel Author whatsoever.

   1693, Robert South, chapter 7, in Animadversions upon Dr. Sherlock’s book, entituled A vindication of the holy and ever-blessed Trinity, London: Randal Taylor, pages 222–223

   Without swallowing whole all the warnings one could readily hear and read about the spiritual dangers of intellectual arrogance and literary freebooting, there was menace in the overpoise that high education and a rich way of living could confer on a young girl. Unknowingly, she could exceed her own strength.

   1964, Flann O’Brien, chapter 6, in The Dalkey Archive, London: Pan Books, published 1976, page 56

present singular third person overpoises · participle present overpoising · participle past overpoised · past overpoised

1. obsoleteTo exceed in importance, strength or value.

   1791, William Cowper (translator), The Iliad, Book 1, lines 710-711, in The Works of William Cowper, London: Baldwin and Cradock, 1837, Volume 11, p. 26, […] thus we speed Ever, when evil overpoises good.

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   1587, Raphael Holinshed et al., Holinshed's Chronicles, London: John Harrison et al., Volume 2, “A Treatise conteining a plaine and perfect description of Ireland,” p. 36, But sith it pleased your maiestie, with so indifferent balance to ponder both our tales, I am throughlie persuaded, that my loiall innocencie shall be able, to ouerpoise his forged treacherie.

   To render a thing fit for rational belief, there is no more requir’d but that the motives for it do over-poise those against it […]

   1678, Richard Allestree, The Lively Oracles Given to Us, Oxford, Section 2, p. 24

   Synonyms: outweigh

2. obsoleteTo place excessive weight on (someone or something).

   Tis time [f]or me to stirre when such young boyes, Shal haue their weake neckes ouer poisd with crownes

   1598, George Chapman, The Blind Beggar of Alexandria, London: William Jones

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   1658, Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica, London: N. Ekins, 3rd edition, Book 4, Chapter 6, p. 168, Whether cripples and mutilated persons, who have lost the greatest part of their thighs, will not sink but float, their lungs being abler to waft up their bodies, which are in others overpoised by the hinder legs, we have not made experiment.

   Synonyms: overburden

3. obsoleteTo throw (someone or something) off balance.

   […] Harry, perceiving his Instructor a little overpoised, suddenly gave him an inside Foot, and a Push at the same Instant toward the Part to which he inclined.

   1770, Henry Brooke, The Fool of Quality, volume 5, Dublin, page 146

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   […] the Stone in my Fathers Body was so immense, that I’ve wonder’d it did not bunch up behind, and make him have a Hump-back, or at least overpoise him in walking, and drag him backward with its incredible weight.

   1691, John Dunton, chapter 6, in A Voyage Round the World, London: Richard Newcome, page 122

   Synonyms: overbalance