counter1
n.
- a long flat-topped fitment across which business is conducted in a shop or food and drinks are served.
▸N. Amer. a worktop.
- a small disc used in board games for keeping the score or as a place marker.
▸a token representing a coin.
- a factor used to give one party an advantage in negotiations.
- a person or thing that counts something.
▸Physics an apparatus used for counting individual ionizing particles or events.
Phrase
Etymology
ME (in sense 2): from OFr. conteor, from med. L. computatorium, from L. computare (see compute).
counter2
v.
- speak or act in opposition or response to.
- Boxing give a return blow while parrying.
adv.
(
counter to)
in the opposite direction to or in conflict with.
adj.
responding to something of the same kind, especially in opposition:
argument and counter argument.
n.
- an act or speech which counters something else.
- Boxing a counterpunch.
- the curved part of the stern of a ship projecting aft above the waterline.
- Printing the white space enclosed by a letter such as O or c.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. contre, from L. contra ‘against’.
counter3
n.
the back part of a shoe or boot, enclosing the heel.
Etymology
C19: abbrev. of counterfort ‘buttress’, from Fr. contrefort.