counter

[ koun-ter ]

/ ˈkaʊn tər /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR counter ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a table or display case on which goods can be shown, business transacted, etc.

(in restaurants, luncheonettes, etc.) a long, narrow table with stools or chairs along one side for the patrons, behind which refreshments or meals are prepared and served.

a surface for the preparation of food in a kitchen, especially on a low cabinet.

anything used in keeping account, as a disk of metal or wood, used in some games, as checkers, for marking a player's position or for keeping score.

an imitation coin or token.

a coin; money.

Idioms for counter

over the counter,

(of the sale of stock) through a broker's office rather than through the stock exchange.
(of the sale of merchandise) through a retail store rather than through a wholesaler.

under the counter, in a clandestine manner, especially illegally: books sold under the counter.

Origin of counter

1300–50; Middle English countour < Anglo-French (Old French comptoir) < Medieval Latin computātorium place for computing, equivalent to Latin computā(re) to compute + -tōrium -tory²; cf. count¹

Words nearby counter

countably additive function, countably compact set, countback, countdown, countenance, counter, counter check, counter electromotive force, counter jumper, counter reformation, counter table

Definition for counter (2 of 6)

counter ²

[ koun-ter ]

/ ˈkaʊn tər /

noun

a person who counts.

a device for counting revolutions of a wheel, items produced, etc.

Cards. card counter.

Computers. a storage register or program variable used to tally how often something of interest occurs.

Electronics. scaler(def 2).

Physics. any of various instruments for detecting ionizing radiation and for registering counts.

Compare Geiger counter.

Origin of counter

1325–75; Middle English countour < Anglo-French (Old French conteor) ≪ Latin computātor, equivalent to computā(re) to compute + -tor -tor

Definition for counter (3 of 6)

counter ³

[ koun-ter ]

/ ˈkaʊn tər /

adverb

in the wrong way; contrary to the right course; in the reverse or opposite direction.

contrary; in opposition (usually preceded by run or go): to run counter to the rules.

adjective

opposite; opposed; contrary.

noun

something that is opposite or contrary to something else.

a blow delivered in receiving or parrying another blow, as in boxing.

a statement or action made to refute, oppose, or nullify another statement or action.

Fencing. a circular parry.

a piece of leather or other material inserted between the lining and outside leather of a shoe or boot quarter to keep it stiff.

Nautical. the part of a stern that overhangs and projects aft of the sternpost of a vessel.

Also called void. Typesetting. any part of the face of a type that is less than type-high and is therefore not inked.

Engineering, Building Trades. a truss member subject to stress only under certain partial loadings of the truss.

the part of a horse's breast that lies between the shoulders and under the neck.

verb (used with object)

to go counter to; oppose; controvert.

to meet or answer (a move, blow, etc.) by another in return.

verb (used without object)

to make a counter or opposing move.

to give a blow while receiving or parrying one, as in boxing.

Origin of counter

1400–50; late Middle English countre < Anglo-French co(u)ntre, cuntre, Old French contre < Latin contrā against. See counter-

Definition for counter (4 of 6)

counter ⁴

[ koun-ter ]

/ ˈkaʊn tər /

verb (used with object)

to encounter in opposition or combat.

Origin of counter

⁴

1250–1300; Middle English countren, aphetic variant of acountren < Middle French acontrer. See a-⁵, encounter

Definition for counter (5 of 6)

count ¹

[ kount ]

/ kaʊnt /

verb (used with object)

to check over (the separate units or groups of a collection) one by one to determine the total number; add up; enumerate: He counted his tickets and found he had ten.

to reckon up; calculate; compute.

to list or name the numerals up to: Close your eyes and count ten.

to include in a reckoning; take into account: There are five of us here, counting me.

to reckon to the credit of another; ascribe; impute.

to consider or regard: He counted himself lucky to have survived the crash.

verb (used without object)

to count the items of a collection one by one in order to determine the total: She counted three times before she was satisfied that none was missing.

to list or name numerals in order: to count to 100 by fives.

to reckon numerically.

to have a specified numerical value.

to be accounted or worth something: That first try didn't count—I was just practicing.

to have merit, importance, value, etc.; deserve consideration: Every bit of help counts.

to have worth; amount (usually followed by for): Intelligence counts for something.

noun

the act of counting; enumeration; reckoning; calculation: A count of hands showed 23 in favor and 16 opposed.

the number representing the result of a process of counting; the total number.

an accounting.

Baseball. the number of balls and strikes, usually designated in that order, that have been called on a batter during a turn at bat: a count of two balls and one strike.

Law. a distinct charge or theory of action in a declaration or indictment: He was found guilty on two counts of theft.

Textiles.

a number representing the size or quality of yarn, especially the number based on the relation of weight to length of the yarn and indicating its degree of coarseness.
the number of warp and filling threads per square inch in woven material, representing the texture of the fabric.

Bowling. the number of pins struck down by the first ball rolled by a bowler in the frame following a spare and included in the score for the frame in which the spare was made.

Physics.

a single ionizing reaction registered by an ionization chamber, as in a Geiger counter.
the indication of the total number of ionizing reactions registered by an ionization chamber in a given period of time.

Archaic. regard; notice.

the count, Boxing. the calling aloud by the referee of the seconds from 1 to 10 while a downed boxer remains off his feet. Completion of the count signifies a knockout, which the referee then declares: A hard right sent the challenger down for the count. Also called the full count.

adjective

noting a number of items determined by an actual count: The box is labeled 50 count.

Verb Phrases

count down, to count backward, usually by ones, from a given integer to zero.

count in, to include: If you're going to the beach, count me in.

count off, (often used imperatively, as in the army) to count aloud by turns, as to arrange positions within a group of persons; divide or become divided into groups: Close up ranks and count off from the left by threes.

count on/upon, to depend or rely on: You can always count on him to lend you money.

count out,

Boxing. to declare (a boxer) a loser because of inability to stand up before the referee has counted 10 seconds.
to exclude: When it comes to mountain climbing, count me out.
to count and apportion or give out: She counted out four cookies to each child.
to disqualify (ballots) illegally in counting, in order to control the election.

Origin of count

1275–1325; (v.) Middle English counten < Anglo-French c(o)unter, Old French conter < Latin computāre to compute; (noun) Middle English counte < Anglo-French c(o)unte, Old French conte < Late Latin computus calculation, reckoning, noun derivative of computāre

OTHER WORDS FROM count

half-count·ed, adjective

Definition for counter (6 of 6)

counter-

a combining form of counter³, used with the meanings “against,” “contrary,” “opposite,” “in opposition or response to” (countermand); “complementary,” “in reciprocation,” “corresponding,” “parallel” (counterfoil; counterbalance); “substitute,” “duplicate” (counterfeit).

Origin of counter-

Middle English countre-; see counter³

Example sentences from the Web for counter

This led to the formation of a Christian militant group to counter the rebels, and all-out sectarian violence exploded.

The Year’s Most Forgotten Humanitarian Crisis |Nina Strochlic |January 1, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
If you need to store the bottle in the fridge, let it warm up for a few minutes on the counter before serving.

Champagne: You’re Drinking It All Wrong |Kayleigh Kulp |December 20, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Even local chickens were more expensive than in the summer, Smirnova and another woman at the counter complained.

How Crimea Crashed the Russian Economy |Anna Nemtsova |December 17, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Sensing his opportunity, Joey Biden pounced: “I walked up behind him and smashed his head next to the counter.”

Joe Biden: ‘I’ll Kill Your Son’ |Olivia Nuzzi |December 12, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

The further forward bare-boned science goes, however, the more forceful the counter- response.

Honey Boo Boo, Snake Oil, and Ebola: The Weird World of Young Living Essential Oils |Kent Sepkowitz |December 5, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Mrs. Schotz had gone back to the counter with the toys the stranger sought.

The Toy Shop |Margarita Spalding Gerry
Saxham, leaving a banknote lying on the counter, wheeled abruptly, and went out of the bar.

The Dop Doctor |Clotilde Inez Mary Graves
At one end of the low-ceiled apartment are busy clerks behind a counter, alert and cheerful.

A Little Journey in the World |Charles Dudley Warner
Then lazily reaching over toward Harold, he took him by the arm and drew him toward the counter.

Fort Lafayette or, Love and Secession |Benjamin Wood
I stood at the counter while Madame Lourbet served a customer, and then she turned to me.

The Betrayal of John Fordham |B.L. (Benjamin Leopold) Farjeon

British Dictionary definitions for counter (1 of 6)

counter ¹

/ (ˈkaʊntə) /

noun

a horizontal surface, as in a shop or bank, over which business is transacted

(in some cafeterias) a long table on which food is served to customers

a small flat disc of wood, metal, or plastic, used in various board games
a similar disc or token used as an imitation coin

a person or thing that may be used or manipulated

a skating figure consisting of three circles

under the counter (under-the-counter when prenominal) (of the sale of goods, esp goods in short supply) clandestine, surreptitious, or illegal; not in an open manner

over the counter (over-the-counter when prenominal) (of security transactions) through a broker rather than on a stock exchange

Word Origin for counter

C14: from Old French comptouer, ultimately from Latin computāre to compute

British Dictionary definitions for counter (2 of 6)

counter ²

/ (ˈkaʊntə) /

adverb

in a contrary direction or manner

in a wrong or reverse direction

run counter to to have a contrary effect or action to

adjective

opposing; opposite; contrary

noun

something that is contrary or opposite to some other thing

an act, effect, or force that opposes another

a return attack, such as a blow in boxing

fencing a parry in which the foils move in a circular fashion

the portion of the stern of a boat or ship that overhangs the water aft of the rudder

Also called: void printing the inside area of a typeface that is not type high, such as the centre of an "o", and therefore does not print

the part of a horse's breast under the neck and between the shoulders

a piece of leather forming the back of a shoe

verb

to say or do (something) in retaliation or response

(tr) to move, act, or perform in a manner or direction opposite to (a person or thing)

to return the attack of (an opponent)

Word Origin for counter

C15: from Old French contre, from Latin contrā against

British Dictionary definitions for counter (3 of 6)

counter ³

/ (ˈkaʊntə) /

noun

a person who counts

an apparatus that records the number of occurrences of events

any instrument for detecting or counting ionizing particles or photons See Geiger counter, scintillation counter, crystal counter

electronics another name for scaler (def. 2)

Word Origin for counter

C14: from Old French conteor, from Latin computātor; see count 1

British Dictionary definitions for counter (4 of 6)

counter-

prefix

against; opposite; contrary counterattack

complementary; corresponding counterfoil

duplicate or substitute counterfeit

Word Origin for counter-

via Norman French from Latin contrā against, opposite; see contra-

British Dictionary definitions for counter (5 of 6)

count ¹

/ (kaʊnt) /

verb

to add up or check (each unit in a collection) in order to ascertain the sum; enumerate count your change

(tr) to recite numbers in ascending order up to and including

(tr often foll by in) to take into account or include we must count him in

not counting excluding

(tr) to believe to be; consider; think; deem count yourself lucky

(intr) to recite or list numbers in ascending order either in units or groups to count in tens

(intr) to have value, importance, or influence this picture counts as a rarity

(intr often foll by for) to have a certain specified value or importance the job counts for a lot

(intr) music to keep time by counting beats

noun

the act of counting or reckoning

the number reached by counting; sum

law a paragraph in an indictment containing a distinct and separate charge

physics the total number of photons or ionized particles detected by a counter

keep count to keep a record of items, events, etc

lose count to fail to keep an accurate record of items, events, etc

boxing wrestling the act of telling off a number of seconds by the referee, as when a boxer has been knocked down or a wrestler pinned by his opponent

out for the count boxing knocked out and unable to continue after a count of ten by the referee

take the count boxing to be unable to continue after a count of ten

archaic notice; regard; account

See also count against, countdown, count on, count out

Word Origin for count

C14: from Anglo-French counter, from Old French conter, from Latin computāre to calculate, compute

British Dictionary definitions for counter (6 of 6)

count ²

/ (kaʊnt) /

noun

a nobleman in any of various European countries having a rank corresponding to that of a British earl

any of various officials in the late Roman Empire and under various Germanic kings in the early Middle Ages

a man who has received an honour (papal knighthood) from the Pope in recognition of good deeds, achievements, etc

Derived forms of count

countship, noun

Word Origin for count

C16: from Old French conte, from Late Latin comes occupant of a state office, from Latin: overseer, associate, literally: one who goes with, from com- with + īre to go

Medical definitions for counter (1 of 3)

counter

[ koun′tər ]

n.

One that counts, especially an electronic or mechanical device that automatically counts occurrences or repetitions of phenomena or events.

Medical definitions for counter (2 of 3)

count

[ kount ]

v.

To name or list the units of a group or collection one by one in order to determine a total.

n.

The act of counting or calculating.

The totality of specific items in a particular sample.

Medical definitions for counter (3 of 3)

counter-

pref.

Contrary; opposite; opposing:countertransport.

Corresponding; complementary:counterincision.

Idioms and Phrases with counter (1 of 2)

counter

see run counter to; under the counter.

Idioms and Phrases with counter (2 of 2)

count

In addition to the idioms beginning with count

count against
count down
count for
count in
count noses
count off
count on
count one's chickens before they hatch
count out
count to ten

also see:

down for the count
every minute counts
out for (the count)
stand up and be counted

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

counter

noun

Idioms for counter

Origin of counter

Words nearby counter

Definition for counter (2 of 6)

noun

Origin of counter

Definition for counter (3 of 6)

adverb

adjective

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Origin of counter

Definition for counter (4 of 6)

verb (used with object)

Origin of counter

Definition for counter (5 of 6)

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

noun

adjective

Verb Phrases

Origin of count

OTHER WORDS FROM count

Definition for counter (6 of 6)

Origin of counter-

Words related to counter

Example sentences from the Web for counter

British Dictionary definitions for counter (1 of 6)

noun

Word Origin for counter

British Dictionary definitions for counter (2 of 6)

adverb

adjective

noun

verb

Word Origin for counter

British Dictionary definitions for counter (3 of 6)

noun

Word Origin for counter

British Dictionary definitions for counter (4 of 6)

prefix

Word Origin for counter-

British Dictionary definitions for counter (5 of 6)

verb

noun

Word Origin for count

British Dictionary definitions for counter (6 of 6)

noun

Derived forms of count

Word Origin for count

Medical definitions for counter (1 of 3)

n.

Medical definitions for counter (2 of 3)

v.

n.

Medical definitions for counter (3 of 3)

pref.

Idioms and Phrases with counter (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with counter (2 of 2)