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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

4 entries under this word

Counter

Coun'ter, n.

noun

n. [From count.]

  1. One who counts, or keeps an account; that which indicates a number.
  2. A piece of metal, ivory, wood, and the like, in the form of a coin, used in reckoning.

What comes the wool to? I can not do it without counters. Shak.

  1. Money, in contempt. “Rased counters.” Shak.
  2. A table or board on which money is counted; a kind of a table on which goods in a shop are laid for examination by purchasers.
  3. A prison; especially either of two prisons in London, so called.

The captains of this insurrection . . . came but now To both the counters, where they have released Sundry indebted prisoners. Old Play. She sent eight shillings by her man, in a violet coat, to Anne Aysavugh, when imprisoned in the counter. Fuller.

  1. (Naut.) An arched space in the stern of a vessel between the bottom of the stern and the wing-transoms and buttock. Totten.
  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 that part of a horse between the shoulders and under the neck.
  4. The back-leather or heel part of a boot.

Coun'ter, a.

adjective

a. Contrary; opposite. “Innumerable facts attesting the counter principle.” I. Taylor.

Coun'ter, adv.

adverb

[Fr. contre, Pr., Sp., Pg., It., & Lat. contra. See CONTRA.] 1. Contrary; in opposition; in an opposite direction; contrariwise;—used chiefly with run or go. He thinks it brave . . . to signalize himself by running counter to all the rules of virtue. Locke. 2. In the wrong way; contrary to the right course. This is counter, you false Danish dogs! Shak. 3. At or against the front or face. [Rare.] “Which [darts] they never throw counter, but at the back of the flier.” Sandys. ☞ This word is prefixed to many others, chiefly verbs and nouns, expressing opposition.

Coun'ter, v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. [From encounter, q. v.] (Boxing.) To encounter or repel. “His left hand countered provokingly.” C. Kingsley.