counter

[ koun-ter ]

/ ˈkaʊn tər /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR counter ON THESAURUS.COM

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-

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 countering (2 of 2)

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

Example sentences from the Web for countering

Experts say use of website appears aimed at countering Western media.

J Street Defends Hagel |Orly Halpern |December 19, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
This vast sweep of subject-matter has a grand effect of countering any tendency to polemic or sectarianism.

David's Book Club: In the Shadow of the Sword |David Frum |June 4, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
Kotkin is particularly good at countering casual assumptions with larger data patterns.

This Week's Hot Reads |The Daily Beast |February 18, 2010 |DAILY BEAST
The only other handweapon capable of countering it is another quarterstaff.

Black Man's Burden |Dallas McCord Reynolds

Just as it is suffering, just as it is succeeded, just as it is moist so is there no countering.

Tender Buttons |Gertrude Stein
Again and again, by feint of foot and hand and body he continued to inveigle Sandel into leaping back, ducking, or countering.

When God Laughs and Other Stories |Jack London
Various methods of countering these tactics have been devised.

The Illustrated War News, Number 21, Dec. 30, 1914 |Various
Mr. Hennesy's acting was finished in leading and countering, but sadly deficient in guarding and side-stepping.

The Scrap Book, Volume 1, No. 1 |Various

British Dictionary definitions for countering (1 of 3)

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 countering (2 of 3)

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 countering (3 of 3)

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

Medical definitions for countering

counter

[ koun′tər ]

n.

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

Idioms and Phrases with countering

counter

see run counter to; under the counter.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

counter

adverb

adjective

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Origin of counter

Words nearby counter

Definition for countering (2 of 2)

verb (used with object)

Origin of counter

Example sentences from the Web for countering

British Dictionary definitions for countering (1 of 3)

noun

Word Origin for counter

British Dictionary definitions for countering (2 of 3)

adverb

adjective

noun

verb

Word Origin for counter

British Dictionary definitions for countering (3 of 3)

noun

Word Origin for counter

Medical definitions for countering

n.

Idioms and Phrases with countering

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

counter

adverb

adjective

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Origin of counter

Words nearby counter

Definition for countering (2 of 2)

verb (used with object)

Origin of counter

Words related to countering

Example sentences from the Web for countering

British Dictionary definitions for countering (1 of 3)

noun

Word Origin for counter

British Dictionary definitions for countering (2 of 3)

adverb

adjective

noun

verb

Word Origin for counter

British Dictionary definitions for countering (3 of 3)

noun

Word Origin for counter

Medical definitions for countering

n.

Idioms and Phrases with countering