countermine Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (military) a tunnel dug to defeat similar activities by the enemy
  2. verb destroy property or hinder normal operations
    subvert; counteract; sabotage; undermine; weaken.
    • The Resistance sabotaged railroad operations during the war
  3. verb destroy enemy mines with one's own mines
    • We countermined the banks of the river

WordNet

Coun"ter*mine` noun
Etymology
Counter- + mine underground gallery: cf. F. contermine.
Definitions
  1. (Mil.) An underground gallery excavated to intercept and destroy the mining of an enemy.
  2. A stratagem or plot by which another sratagem or project is defeated.
    Thinking himself contemned, knowing no countermine against contempt but terror. Sir P. Sidney.
Coun`ter*mine" transitive verb
Etymology
Cf. F. contreminer.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Countermined; present participle & verbal noun Countermining
Definitions
  1. (Mil.) To oppose by means or a countermine; to intercept with a countermine.
  2. To frustrate or counteract by secret measures.
Coun`ter*mine" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To make a countermine or counterplot; to plot secretly.
    'Tis hard for man to countermine with God. Chapman.

Webster 1913