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An American Dictionary of the English Language

by Noah Webster

Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)

Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865

Entries
95,912
Pages
1,538
Illustrations
2,133

Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.

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  1. Coun'ter-prāc'tice, n.p. 303Practice in opposition to some other practice.
  2. Coun'ter-pres'sure, n.p. 303Force or pressure that acts in a contrary direction to some other opposing pressure.
  3. Coun'ter-proj'eet, n.p. 303A project, scheme, or proposal given in opposition to another, as in the negotiation of a treaty. Swift.
  4. Coun'ter-proof, n.p. 303(Engraving.) A print taken off from another just printed, which, by being passed through the press, gives the figure of the former, but inverted, and of course in the same position as that of the…
  5. Coun'ter-prōve', v. t.p. 303To take a counter-proof of, or a copy in reverse, by taking an impression directly from the face of an original.
  6. Coun'ter-rēv'o-lū'tion, n.p. 303A revolution opposed to a former one, and restoring a former state of things.
  7. Coun'ter-rèv'o-lû'tion-a-ry, a.p. 303Pertaining to a counter-revolution.
  8. Coun'ter-rĕv'o-lū'tion-ist, n.p. 303One engaged in, or befriending, a counter-revolution.
  9. Coun'ter-rōll, n.p. 303(O. Eng. Law.) A roll kept by an officer as a check upon another officer’s roll; a duplicate account; a counterpart. Burrill. ☞ As a verb this word is contracted into control. See CONTROL.
  10. Coun'ter-rōl'ment, n.p. 303A counter account. See CONTROL. [Obs.] Bacon.
  11. Coun'ter-round, n.p. 303(Mil.) A body of officers whose duty it is to visit and inspect the rounds and sentinels. Chambers.
  12. Coun'ter-sā'li-ent, a.p. 303(Her.) Leaping from each other;—said of two figures on a coat of arms.
  13. Counter-seâle, n.p. 303Balance, as of one scale against another. [Obs.] Howell.
  14. Coun'ter-scarf, n.p. 303See COUNTERSCARP.
  15. Coun'ter-scârp, n.p. 303(Fort.) The exterior slope of the ditch. ☞ It often signifies the whole covered way, with its parapet and glacis; as when it is said, the enemy have lodged themselves on the counterscarp. [See…
  16. Coun'ter-scŭf'fle, n.p. 303Opposite scuffle; contest.
  17. Coun'ter-sēal', v. t.p. 303To seal with another. Shak.
  18. Coun'ter-se-cūre', v. t.p. 303To give additional security to or for.
  19. Coun'ter-se-cû'ri-ty, n.p. 303Security given to one who has become surety for another.
  20. Coun'ter-sĕnse, n.p. 303Opposite meaning. Howell.
  21. Coun'ter-shaft, n.p. 303
  22. **Coun'ter-sign**, v. t.p. 303To sign on the opposite side of an instrument or writing; hence, to sign in addition to the signature of a principal or superior, in order to attest the authenticity of a writing.
  23. Coun'ter-sign, n.p. 303The signature of a secretary or other subordinate officer to a writing signed by the principal or superior, to attest its authenticity. 2. (Mil.) A private signal, word, or phrase, which must be…
  24. Coun'ter-sig'nal, n.p. 303A signal to answer or correspond to another.
  25. Coun'ter-sig'na-tūre, n.p. 303The name of a secretary or other subordinate officer countersigned to a writing. Below the imperial name is commonly a counter-signature of one of the cabinet ministers. Tooke.
  26. Coun'ter-sink', v. t.p. 303To form by drilling or turning, or otherwise, as a depression for the reception of the head of a screw or bolt below the surface, either wholly or in part; as, to countersink a hole for a screw. 2.…
  27. Coun'ter-sink, n.p. 303A cavity or depression formed for receiving the head of a screw or bolt. 2. A drill or cutting-tool to enlarge the outer end of a hole in countersinking.
  28. Coun'ter-slōpe, n.p. 303An overhanging slope; as, a wall with a counter-slope. Mahan.
  29. Coun'ter-stāte/ment, n.p. 303A statement made in opposition to, or denial of, another statement.
  30. Coun'ter-stăt'ūte, n.p. 303A contrary statute or ordinance.
  31. Coun'ter-stēp, n.p. 303A contrary method of procedure; opposite course of action.
  32. Coun'ter-stōck, n.p. 303See COUNTER-FOIL.
  33. Coun'ter-strōke, n.p. 303A contrary stroke; a stroke returned. Spenser.
  34. Coun'ter-sure/ty, n.p. 303A counter-bond, or a surety to secure one that has given security.
  35. Coun'ter-swal'low-tāil, n.p. 303(Fort.) An outwork in the form of a single tenaille wider at the gorge than at the head. Ogilvie.
  36. Coun'ter-swāy, n.p. 303Contrary sway; opposite influence.
  37. Coun'ter-tál'ly, n.p. 303A tally corresponding to another.
  38. Coun'ter-tāste, n.p. 303Opposite or false taste.
  39. Coun'ter-tēn'or, n.p. 303(Mus.) One of the middle parts, between the tenor and the treble; high tenor. See COUNTER, n.
  40. Coun'ter-tide, n.p. 303Contrary tide.
  41. Coun'ter-tim'ber, n.p. 303(Naut.) One of a number of short timbers placed in the stern of a vessel in order to strengthen the counter.
  42. Coun'ter-time, n.p. 303(Man.) The resistance of a horse, that interrupts his cadence and the measure of his manage, occasioned by a bad horseman, or the bad temper of the horse. 2. Resistance; opposition. Give not thus the…
  43. Coun'ter-trĕnch, n.p. 303(Fort.) A trench made so as to meet or oppose that of a besieging force.
  44. Coun'ter-tûrn, n.p. 303The height of a play, which puts an end to expectation. Dryden.
  45. Coun'ter-vāil', v. t.p. 303To act against with equal force, power, or effect; to thwart or overcome by such action; to furnish an equivalent to or for; to equal; to balance; to compensate. We are to compute, that upon…
  46. Coun'ter-vāil, n.p. 303Power or value sufficient to obviate any effect; equal weight, strength, or value; compensation; requital. South.
  47. Coun'ter-val-lā'tion, n.p. 303(Fort.) (a.) A chain of redoubts around a fortress, either unconnected or united by a parapet or breastworks, for the purpose of preventing sorties by the garrison. (b.) The operation of constructing…
  48. Coun'ter-view, n.p. 303An opposite or opposing view; opposition; a posture in which two persons front each other. Within the gates of hell sat Death and Sin, In counterview. Milton. 2. A position in which two dissimilar…
  49. Coun'ter-vōte', v. t.p. 303To vote in opposition to; to balance or overcome by voting; to outvote. Scott.
  50. Coun'ter-weigh', v. t.p. 303To weigh against; to counterbalance.
  51. Coun'ter-weight, n.p. 303A counterpoise.
  52. Coun'ter-wheel', v. t.p. 303(Mil.) To cause to wheel in an opposite direction.
  53. Coun'ter-wind, n.p. 303Contrary wind.
  54. Coun-ter-work', v. t.p. 303To work in opposition to; to hinder by contrary operations; to counteract. “That counterworks each folly and caprice.” Pope.
  55. Count'ess, n.p. 303The consort of an earl or count.
  56. Count'ing-house or Count'ing-rōōm, n.p. 303The house or room appropriated by merchants, traders, and manufacturers, to the business of keeping their books, accounts, letters, and papers.
  57. Count'less, a.p. 303Incapable of being counted; not having the number ascertained; not ascertainable; innumerable.
  58. Count'or, n.p. 303(O. Eng. Law.) An advocate or professional pleader; one who counted for his client, that is, related his case, recited his count, or orally pleaded his cause. [Obs.] Burrill.
  59. Coun'tri-fied, a.p. 303Having the appearance and manners of the country; rustic; rude. As being one who took no pride, And was a deal too countrified. Lloyd.
  60. Coûn’tri-fy, v. t.p. 303To render rustic; to cause to assume the manners of a rustic. C. Lamb.