[count.er] n [ME countour, fr. MF comptouer, fr. ML computatorium computing place, fr. L computare] (14c) 1: a piece (as of metal or plastic) used in reckoning or in games
2: something of value in bargaining: asset
3: a level surface (as a table, shelf or display case) over which transactions are conducted or food is served or on which goods are displayed or work is conducted "jewelry ~" "a lunch ~" -- over the counter 1: in or through a broker's office rather than through a stock exchange "stock bought over the counter"
2: without a prescription "drugs available over the counter" -- under the counter : by surreptitious means: in an illicit and private manner
[2]count.er n [ME, fr. MF conteor, fr. compter to count] (14c): one that counts; esp: a device for indicating a number or amount [3]coun.ter vb coun.tered ; coun.ter.ing [ME countren, fr. MF contre against, opposite, fr. L contra; akin to L com- with, together--more at co-] vt (14c) 1 a: to act in opposition to: oppose b: offset, nullify "tried to ~ the trend toward depersonalization"
2: to adduce in answer "we ~ed that our warnings had been ignored" ~ vi: to meet attacks or arguments with defensive or retaliatory steps [4]coun.ter adv [ME contre, fr. MF] (15c) 1: in an opposite or wrong direction
2: to or toward a different or opposite direction, result, or effect "values that run ~ to those of society" [5]coun.ter n (15c) 1: contrary, opposite
2: the after portion of a boat from the waterline to the extreme outward swell or stern overhang 3 a: the act of making an attack while parrying one (as in boxing or fencing); also: a blow thus given in boxing b: an agency or force that offsets: check
4: a stiffener to give permanent form to a boot or shoe upper around the heel
5: an area within the face of a letter wholly or partly enclosed by strokes
6: a football play in which the ballcarrier goes in a direction opposite to the movement of the play [6]coun.ter adj (1596) 1: marked by or tending toward or in an opposite direction or effect
2: given to or marked by opposition, hostility, or antipathy
3: situated or lying opposite "the ~ side"
4: recalling or ordering back by a superseding contrary order: countermanding "~ orders from the colonel"