Dictionary

witherweight en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈwɪðə(ɹ)ˌweɪt/

Etymology

From wither- (“counter-”) + weight. Compare Middle English witherweȝen (“to counter-weight, counter-balance”).

Meanings

1. (Scotland, UK, archaic, dialectal) A counterbalancing weight; counterweight.
   • He puts it ay so upon their hand that he gives them it with a wother weight; […] 1672, M. Bruce Rattling Dry Bones 12.
   • So, upon the whole, you judge that the balance preponderates on our side just now ?" " I should think sae, Sire, when sic a clod as this castle of Roxburgh is thrown into the bucket. It is nae witherweight this for the end of a weigh-bauk. 1822, James Hogg, The three perils of man; or, War, women, and witchcraft - Page 317:
   • 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; […] c1665, Sel. Biog. I 265.

Forms