I. count·er ˈkau̇n-tər noun
Etymology: Middle English countour, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin computatorium computing place, from Latin computare
Date: 14th century
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 counter
a lunch counter
•
- over the counter
- under the counter
II. count·er ˈkau̇n-tər noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French cuntur, from cunter to count
Date: 14th century
: one that counts ; especially : a device for indicating a number or amount
III. coun·ter verb
( coun·tered ; coun·ter·ing ˈkau̇n-t(ə-)riŋ)
Etymology: Middle English countren, from Anglo-French cuntre against, opposite, from Latin contra; akin to Latin com- with, together — more at co-
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to act in opposition to : oppose
b. : offset , nullify
tried to counter the trend toward depersonalization
2. : to assert in answer
we counter ed that our warnings had been ignored
intransitive verb
: to meet attacks or arguments with defensive or retaliatory steps
IV. coun·ter adverb
Etymology: Middle English contre, from Anglo-French cuntre
Date: 15th century
1. : in an opposite or wrong direction
2. : to or toward a different or opposite direction, result, or effect
values that run counter to those of society
V. coun·ter noun
Date: 15th century
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
VI. coun·ter adjective
Date: 1582
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 counter side
4. : recalling or ordering back by a superseding contrary order : countermanding
counter orders from the colonel