- makeweight
- noun Date: 1695 1. a. something thrown into a scale to bring the weight to a desired value b. something of little independent value thrown in to fill a gap 2. counterweight, counterpoise
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.
makeweight
Look at other dictionaries:
Makeweight — Make weight , n. That which is thrown into a scale to make weight; something of little account added to supply a deficiency or fill a gap. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
makeweight — (n.) also make weight, 1690s, small quantity of something added to make the total reach a certain weight, from MAKE (Cf. make) (v.) + WEIGHT (Cf. weight). MAKE WEIGHT. A small candle: a term applied to a little slender man. [ Dictionary of… … Etymology dictionary
makeweight — ► NOUN 1) something put on a scale to make up the required weight. 2) an extra person or thing needed to complete something … English terms dictionary
makeweight — [māk′wāt΄] n. 1. anything added to a scale to complete the required weight 2. an unimportant person or thing added to make up some lack … English World dictionary
makeweight — [[t]me͟ɪkweɪt[/t]] makeweights N COUNT (disapproval) If you describe someone or something as a makeweight, you think that they are not good or valuable and that they have been included in an activity in order to fill up a gap. He has not been… … English dictionary
makeweight — UK [ˈmeɪkˌweɪt] / US noun [countable] Word forms makeweight : singular makeweight plural makeweights someone or something that is included to make a number or amount complete … English dictionary
makeweight — /mayk wayt /, n. 1. something put in a scale to complete a required weight. 2. anything added to supply a lack. [1685 95; MAKE1 + WEIGHT] * * * … Universalium
makeweight — noun a) Something of inferior quality which is included in a shipment to make up the weight. I would advise you to accept these as an instalment of a volume, (they are not big enough to make one themselves) with the promise that the stories to… … Wiktionary
makeweight — make|weight [ meık,weıt ] noun count someone or something included to make a number or amount complete … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
makeweight — meɪkweɪt n. something added to reach a required weight; addition, compensation (for something which is lacking) … English contemporary dictionary
