Counter Definition

kountər
countered, countering, counters
adjective
That acts in opposition, tends in an opposite direction, or is opposite or contrary; opposed or opposing.
Webster's New World
noun
counters
Any of various complex devices for detecting and counting ionizing particles, including Geiger and scintillation counters.
Webster's New World
A boxing blow given while receiving or parrying another.
American Heritage
A fencing parry in which one foil follows the other in a circular fashion.
American Heritage
An indicator on a machine, for keeping count of turns, strokes, etc. of the machine or its parts.
Webster's New World
The opposite; contrary.
Webster's New World
verb
countered, countering, counters
To act, do, move, etc. counter to (a person or thing); oppose or check.
Webster's New World
To say or do (something) in reply, defense, or retaliation.
Webster's New World
To strike one's opponent while receiving or parrying (a blow)
Webster's New World
To offer in response.
Countered that she was too busy to be thorough.
American Heritage
To move, act, or respond so as to be in opposition.
American Heritage
adverb
In a contrary direction, manner, etc.; in opposition; opposite.
Webster's New World
To or toward an opposite or dissimilar course or outcome.
A method running counter to traditional techniques.
American Heritage
At or against the front or face.
Wiktionary
Antonyms:
prefix
Contrary; opposite; opposing.
Counterclaim.
American Heritage
Corresponding; complementary.
Counterfoil.
American Heritage
affix
Opposite, contrary to.
Counterclockwise.
Webster's New World
In retaliation or return.
Counterplot.
Webster's New World
Complementary.
Counterpart.
Webster's New World
Competing, contending.
Counterbid.
Webster's New World
idiom
over the counter
  • Without being listed or available on an officially recognized stock exchange but in trade by direct negotiation between buyers and sellers:

    bought stocks over the counter.

  • Without a doctor's prescription being legally required:

    cold medicine that is available over the counter.

American Heritage
under the counter
  • In an illegal or surreptitious manner; illicitly:

    arrested for selling prescription drugs under the counter.

American Heritage
over the counter
  • in direct trading between buyers and sellers
  • without a prescription

    a drug that can be purchased over the counter

Webster's New World
under the counter
  • in a surreptitious manner
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Counter

Noun

Singular:
counter
Plural:
counters

Origin of Counter

  • Middle English countour from Anglo-Norman counteour from Medieval Latin computātōrium countinghouse from Latin computāre to calculate count1

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Anglo-Norman countour, from Old French conteor (French comptoir), from Medieval Latin computatorium, from Latin computare.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English countre- from Old French contre- from Latin contrā kom in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Middle English countre from Old French contre from Latin contrā counter–

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Old French contre, Anglo-Norman cuntre, both from Latin contra.

    From Wiktionary

  • ME countre- < OFr contre- < L contra-, contra-

    From Webster's New World College Dictionary, 5th Edition

  • From counter-.

    From Wiktionary

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