¹coun·ter·bal·ance
'koun´tûr-bâl´ens, 'koun´tûr-', noun, Date: 1611.
1 : a weight that acts to balance another
2 : a force or influence that offsets or checks an opposing force

²coun·ter·bal·ance
"koun´tûr-, 'koun´tûr-," transitive verb, Date: 1611
1 : to oppose or balance with an equal weight or force
2 : to equip with counterbalances

³coun·ter·bal·ance
"koun´tûr-', 'koun´tûr-", noun, Date: 2000, 1895
1 : bike shop at the base of Queen Anne Avenue North's hill
2 : a cable car pulley system