counter Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun table consisting of a horizontal surface over which business is transacted
  2. noun game equipment (as a piece of wood, plastic, or ivory) used for keeping a count or reserving a space in various card or board games
  3. noun a calculator that keeps a record of the number of times something happens
    tabulator.
  4. noun a piece of furniture that stands at the side of a dining room; has shelves and drawers
    sideboard; buffet.
  5. noun a person who counts things
  6. noun a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)
    rejoinder; return; retort; replication; comeback; riposte.
    • it brought a sharp rejoinder from the teacher
  7. noun (computer science) a register whose contents go through a regular series of states (usually states indicating consecutive integers)
  8. noun a piece of leather forming the back of a shoe or boot
    heel counter.
    • a counter may be used to stiffen the material around the heel and to give support to the foot
  9. noun a return punch (especially by a boxer)
    counterpunch; parry.
  10. verb speak in response
    • He countered with some very persuasive arguments
  11. verb act in advance of; deal with ahead of time
    forestall; anticipate; foresee.
  12. adjective satellite indicating opposition or resistance
    antagonistic.
  13. adverb in the opposite direction
    • run counter

WordNet

Coun"ter
Definitions
  1. A prefix meaning contrary, opposite, in opposition; as, counteract, counterbalance, countercheck. See Counter, adv. & a.
Count"er noun
Etymology
OE. countere, countour, a counter (in sense 1), OF. contere, conteor, fr. conter to count. See Count, v. t.
Definitions
  1. One who counts, or reckons up; a calculator; a reckoner.
  2. A piece of metal, ivory, wood, or bone, used in reckoning, in keeping account of games, etc.
    The old gods of our own race whose names . . . serve as counters reckon the days of the week. E. B. Tylor.
    What comes the wool to? . . . I can not do it witthout counters. Shak.
  3. Money; coin; -- used in contempt. Obs.
    To lock such rascal counters from his friends. Shak.
  4. A prison; either of two prisons formerly in London.
    Anne Aysavugh . . . imprisoned in the Counter. Fuller.
  5. A telltale; a contrivance attached to an engine, printing press, or other machine, for the purpose of counting the revolutions or the pulsations. Knight.
Coun"ter noun
Etymology
OE. countour, OF. contouer, comptouer, F. comptoir, LL. computatorium, prop., a computing place, place of accounts, fr. L. computare. See Count, v. t.
Definitions
  1. A table or board on which money is counted and over which business is transacted; a long, narrow table or bench, on which goods are laid for examination by purchasers, or on which they are weighed or measured.
Coun"ter adverb
Etymology
F. contre, fr. L. contra against. Cf. Contra-.
Definitions
  1. Contrary; in opposition; in an opposite direction; contrariwise; -- used chiefly with run or go.
    Running counter to all the rules of virtue. Locks.
  2. In the wrong way; contrary to the right course; as, a hound that runs counter.
    This is counter, you false Danish dogs! Shak.
  3. At or against the front or face. R.
    Which [darts] they never throw counter, but at the back of the flier. Sandys.
Coun"ter adjective
Definitions
  1. Contrary; opposite; contrasted; opposed; adverse; antagonistic; as, a counter current; a counter revolution; a counter poison; a counter agent; counter fugue. "Innumerable facts attesting the counter principle." I. Taylor.
Coun"ter noun
Etymology
See Counter, adv., Contra.
Definitions
  1. (Naut.) The after part of a vessel's body, from the water line to the stern, -- below and somewhat forward of the stern proper.
  2. (Mus.) Same as Contra. Formerly used to designate any under part which served for contrast to a principal part, but now used as equivalent to counter tenor.
  3. (Far.) The breast, or thet part of a horse between the shoulders and under the neck.
  4. The back leather or heel part of a boot.
Coun"ter noun
Definitions
  1. An encounter. Obs.
    With kindly counter under mimic shade. Spenser.
Coun"ter intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. (Boxing) To return a blow while receiving one, as in boxing.
    His left hand countered provokingly. C. Kingsley.

Webster 1913