Counter

English Meaning

A prefix meaning contrary, opposite, in opposition; as, counteract, counterbalance, countercheck. See Counter, adv. & a.

1. Contrary; opposing: moves and counter moves on the checkerboard.
2. One that is an opposite.
3. Sports A boxing blow given while receiving or parrying another.
4. Sports A fencing parry in which one foil follows the other in a circular fashion.
5. A stiff piece of leather around the heel of a shoe.
6. Nautical The portion of a ship's stern extending from the water line to the extreme outward swell.
7. Printing The depression between the raised lines of the face on a piece of type.
8. To meet or return (a blow) by another blow.
9. To move or act in opposition to; oppose.
10. To offer in response: countered that she was too busy to be thorough.
11. To move, act, or respond so as to be in opposition.
12. In a contrary manner or direction.
13. To or toward an opposite or dissimilar course or outcome: a method running counter to traditional techniques.
14. A flat surface on which money is counted, business is transacted, or food is prepared or served.
15. Games A piece, as of wood or ivory, used for keeping a count or a place.
16. An imitation coin; a token.
17. A piece of money.
18. over the counter Without being listed or available on an officially recognized stock exchange but traded in direct negotiation between buyers and sellers: bought stocks over the counter.
19. over the counter Without a doctor's prescription being legally required: cold medicine that is available over the counter.
20. under the counter In an illegal or surreptitious manner; illicitly: arrested for selling prescription drugs under the counter.
21. One that counts, especially an electronic or mechanical device that automatically counts occurrences or repetitions of phenomena or events.