Definition

Noun: 1. A small, additional weight added to a scale to achieve a precise required total weight. This is the literal, original meaning. 2. A person or thing of little importance added to complete something, such as a group, collection, or argument, to make it seem adequate or sufficient. This is the common figurative meaning, implying the added element is insignificant or merely fills space.

Usage

The word is typically used to describe something supplementary and often non-essential. It carries a slightly negative or dismissive connotation, suggesting the "makeweight" lacks intrinsic value or importance on its own.

Examples

• Literal meaning: "The grocer added a small makeweight to the scale to bring the apples up to exactly one kilogram."
• Figurative meaning:
  • "The final two songs on the album feel like makeweights, added just to reach a standard length."
  • "His argument was weak, so he included several historical anecdotes as makeweights."
  • "She felt like a makeweight on the committee, invited only to meet a diversity quota."

Advanced Usage

• As a modifier: The term can be used attributively (like an adjective) before a noun.
  • "The team included several makeweight players to fill out the roster."
• Conceptual use: It can describe an idea or factor added to balance a situation.
  • "The tax cut was a political makeweight to offset the unpopular spending bill."

Variants and Related Words

• Counterweight (n): A weight that balances another. Unlike "makeweight," a counterweight is often crucial for balance and function.
• Filler (n): Something used to fill a space or gap, often implying low quality or irrelevance. This is a close synonym in the figurative sense.

Synonyms

• Figurative sense: Filler, stopgap, addition, supplement, extra, nonentity (for a person).
• Literal sense: Counterpoise, balancing weight.

Idioms and Phrases

• To serve as a makeweight: To function as an insignificant addition.
  • "The old furniture served as a makeweight in the mostly empty room."
• Mere makeweight: Emphasizes the insignificance of the addition.
  • "The lengthy introduction was a mere makeweight, adding nothing to the core thesis."

Noun

1. a weight added to the scale to reach a required weight
2. anything added to fill out a whole
   • some of the items in the collection are mere makeweights