counter

I. 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

> II. 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. verb (countered; countering) 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 countered that our warnings had been ignored

> intransitive verb to meet attacks or arguments with defensive or retaliatory steps IV. 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. 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. 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

>