makeweight
makeweight Lexical Profile
makeweight Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A person or thing of little intrinsic value included merely to fill a gap, complete a set, or make up a required number.
"Critics dismissed the short instrumental tracks on the album as mere makeweights."
A small quantity or object added to a scale to bring a load up to the required weight.
"The grocer tossed a small potato onto the scale as a makeweight to reach five pounds."
• adjective
Added or included merely to fill a gap or bring something up to a required quota, amount, or number.
"The anthology contains a few brilliant essays alongside several makeweight chapters."
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the late 16th century from 'make' and 'weight', originally referring to a small piece of material placed on a merchant's scale to bring a commodity up to the required weight.