Outbalance

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To exceed in weight, importance, or influence, thereby offsetting or surpassing something else in value or effect
2. To surpass another in terms of weight, significance, or impact, thus countering or eclipsing its overall value or consequences
3. To exceed or overpower something in weight, importance, or influence, leading to a reversal or alteration of balance

Etymology: "Outbalance" is a simple compound: the prefix "out-", meaning beyond or surpassing, attached to "balance." That second part carries the real history. "Balance" descends from Latin "bilanx," literally "two-scaled," from "bi-" (two) and "lanx" (dish or pan), a reference to the two pans of a set of scales. The Latin term passed through Vulgar Latin "bilancia" and Old French "balance" before reaching English in the Middle Ages, so the core image is still a weighing dish tipping one way or the other. That origin explains the verb's sense. To outbalance something is to weigh more heavily on the scale than it does, so the heavier pan drops and the lighter one rises. The figurative use grew from that picture: one thing outweighs another in importance, influence, or effect.

Synonyms: outweigh, exceed

Antonyms: underbalance