Counter-

prefix:—ME. and AF. countre-, a. F. contre- (= Pr. It. contra-):—L. contrā adv. and prefix (see CONTRA-) against, in return. The form in which the Lat. prefix has come down through Fr. into Eng. Used in words actually adopted from earlier F., as counterbalance, counterchange, counterfeit, countermand, countermarch, countermark, countermure, counterpoise, counterseal, countersign, etc., and their derivatives; also in adaptations of later F. or Italian words in contre-, contra-; and in many words formed after them in English. Counter has thus become a living element of the language, capable of entering into new combinations even with words of Teutonic origin. It may be prefixed, when required, to almost any substantive expressing action, as motion, counter-motion, current, counter-current, or even to any word in which action or incidence is imputed, as measure, counter-measure, poison, counter-poison. Hence it is often viewed as an independent element, written separately, and practically treated as an adjective: see COUNTER a.

  In those compounds which we have taken from French or Italian, the consolidation of the word is usually greater than in those formed in English, and they are regularly written as single words, as counterbalance, counterfeit, countermand, countermarch, though sometimes with the hyphen. The stress is normally, in verbs and their derivatives, on the root, in nouns and their derivatives, on the prefix: cf. to undergo·, u·ndertone. But there are exceptions, esp. where the noun stress is taken by a verb of the same form, as in to cou·nterfeit. In words formed in English the two elements are in looser union, both accentually and in writing. In verbs the rhetorical or antithetical stress on the prefix may be equal to, or even for the nonce stronger than, that normally on the root, as in to plan and cou·nter-pla·n (cou·nter-pla:n), and the two parts are properly hyphened. In nouns, when the counter- word is contrasted explicitly or implicitly with the simple word (as in 3, 4, 5), the predominant stress of the prefix is strongly marked, as in cou·nter-cheer, cou·nter-annou:ncement. These are properly written with the hyphen (now rarely as a single word, but occasionally in two separate words). When such a contrast is not distinctly present (as in 6, 9), the predominance of the prefix is less marked, and the root-element may receive an equal or greater stress; in such case there is a growing tendency to write the prefix as a separate qualifying word, and in fact to treat it as an adjective. Thus counter-side, counter-truth, become counter side, counter truth: see COUNTER a.

  All permanent compounds in counter-, with some of the more important of the looser combinations, are given in their alphabetical order; of the casual combinations (many of them nonce-words) of obvious meaning, examples here follow.

  I.  1. verbs, as COUNTERACT, COUNTER-MAKE, COUNTER-SAY, COUNTERWEIGH, COUNTER-WORK, with their derivatives: which see in their alphabetic places. Also many nonce-words, either contextual, or framed as literal equivalents of French or Italian verbs in contre-, contra-, expressing the doing of a thing or performance of an action in the opposite direction or sense, with a contrary effect, or in opposition, retort or response to the action expressed by the simple verb; sometimes with the notion of rivalling or outdoing, checking or frustrating that action; sometimes merely in reciprocation. Such verbs were formerly more frequently formed and used than now. Examples: counter-address, counter-advise, counter-affirm, counter-ambush, counter-avouch, counter-beat, counter-bid, counter-bore, counter-cross, counter-dance, counter-dig, counter-fix, counter-gird, counter-judge, counter-lock, counter-meet, counter-petition, counter-plan, counter-please, counter-post, counter-pray, counter-preach, counter-prick, counter-refer, counter-ruin, counter-shine, counter-state, counter-swear, counter-thwart, counter-traverse, counter-tug, counter-vote. A rare sense in English is that of ‘across, cross-,’ as in counter-dash, counter-strike; COUNTER-BAR, -HATCH. (These are hyphened, but were formerly often written entire. The main stress is on the verb.)

1687.  R. L’Estrange, Answ. Diss., 22. It would not do Amiss, if the Dissenter should *Counter-Advise his Remembrancer upon Two or Three of these Last Points.

1611.  Cotgr., Contrefermé, *counter-affirmed, counter-auouched, the contrarie whereof is affirmed, or auouched.

1681.  Moores Baffled, 24. On March 27, 1664, he *counter-ambusht a strong Party of Horse.

1611.  Florio, Contrabattúta, a *counter-beating. Ibid. (1598), Contradiuieto, a countermand, or *counterbidding. Ibid. (1611), Contraforáre, to counterbore.

1611.  Cotgr., Contretraversant, *counter-crossing, counter-trauersing.

1849.  Carlyle, Dante’s Inf., vii. 72. As does the surge, there above Charybdis, that breaks itself against the surge wherewith it meets; So have the people here to *counter-dance.

1611.  Cotgr., Contr’elider, to counterhit, counterstrik, *counterdash, countersquize; to breake a stroke, or dash, &c., with a stroake, or dash, &c.

1649.  Davenant, Love & Honour, Wks. (1673), 250. I fear some inlet has been *counter-digg’d Into the Cave.

1596.  R. L[inche], Diella (1877), 83. Speechlesse they are, eye *counterfixt on eye.

1611.  Cotgr., Contrepicquer, to returne gird for gird; to giue a nip for a nip. Contrepicqué, *countergirded, counterpricked, counternipped.

1643.  Herle, Answ. Ferne, 20. A *counterjudging, and so unjudging judge. Ibid., 31. A possibly divided and *counterlocking power of deniall.

a. 1689.  Sir J. Reresby, Mem., 102 (T.). The Gentlemen and others of Yorkshire, who had *counterpetitioned, and declared their Abhorrence of the tumultuous Petition for a Meeting of Parliament, were voted Betrayers of the Liberties of the People.

1883.  T. M. Healy, in Pall Mall Gaz., 28 Dec., 2/1. [Irishmen] regard their representatives as useful to *counterplan against the devices of the Government.

1611.  Florio, Contrapiacére, to *counterplease.

1654.  Gayton, Pleas. Notes, III. ix. 127.

1859.  Dickens, T. Two Cities, II. i. Instead of being *counterprayed and countermined.

1623.  Lisle, Ælfric on O. & N. Test., Pref. 11. We heare daily men of divers opinions (yet all as called thereto) *counterpreaching each other.

a. 1734.  North, Lives (1808), I. 102 (D.). If either be false and perfidious, the other will be so also; and they *counter-refer to each other.

1653.  Gauden, Hierasp., 429. They fortifie against oblivion; arm themselves against mortality; and *counterruine the underminings of time.

1647.  Crashaw, Poems, 1. Stars thou sow’st, whose harvest dares Promise the earth to *countershine Whatever makes Heaven’s forehead fine.

1661.  R. L’Estrange, Interest Mistaken, 13. It seems to me of high Concern, to *Counter-State that Declaration.

1611.  Florio, Contracolpíre, to *counter-strike.

a. 1864.  Landor, Wks. (1868), II. 202. You have sworn many things … some of which were very soon *countersworn.

1567.  Turberv., Ovid’s Epist., 77 b. Beholde the winds, And *counterthwarting blasts.

1872.  Baker, Nile Tribut., ii. 32. After much tugging and *counter-tugging.

1641.  Ld. Digby, Sp., in Rushw., Hist. Coll., III. (1692), I. 35. How the Lords *Counter-voted the precedency of our Grievances.

1681–6.  J. Scott, Chr. Life, I. iii. (1729), 69 (T.). The Law in our Minds being counter-voted by the Law in our Members.

  b.  From corresponding substantives, as countergabion, -garrison, -query, -trench; COUNTERMINE, -MURE, etc.

1611.  Florio, Contragabbionáre, to *countergabbion.

1523.  Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. lxii. 34 a. All these flemmynges lay in y^e vale of Cassell, in tentes and pauylions, to *countergarison y^e french garison.

1653.  Apol. for Goodwin, 3. *Counter-querying and quarrelling himselfe in subscribing them.

1611.  Cotgr., Contretrancher, to *counter-trench, or fortifie against an enemie intrenched.

  II.  sbs. (and adjs.) 2. With sense ‘(actor or action) against or in opposition’; as in counter-exercise, -latration (barking against), -player, -volition, -willing, -working. (Stress on the root-word.)

1744.  Warburton, Wks. (1811), XI. 393. Dexterity, in the *counter-exercise of his arms.

1865.  Carlyle, Fredk. Gt., VII. XVIII. i. 97. Porcine squealing, answered always by *counter-latration.

1666.  Spurstowe, Spir. Chym. (1668), 141. Have we not twins in our Womb, our *Counter-lustings and our *Counter-willings?

1611.  Cotgr., Contrejouëur, a *counter-player; an aduersarie, or opponent, in play.

a. 1859.  De Quincey, War, Wks. IV. 265. So weak and so flexible to any stern *countervolition.

  3.  Done, directed, or acting against, in opposition to, as a rejoinder or reply to another thing of the same kind already made or in existence; as in counter-address, -affirmation, -agitation, -alliance, -announcement, -answer, -appeal, -art, -association, -attack, -attestation, -averment, -avouchment, -bidding, -cheer, -command, -competition, -complaint, -condemnation, -cry, -decision, -declaration, -decree, -demand, -demonstration, -deputation, -dogmatism, -draught, -effort, -energy, -enthusiasm, -exaggeration, -excitement, -excommunication, -explanation, -expostulation, -fallacy, -gabble, -gift, -imagination, -insult, -interpretation, -intrigue, -invective, -law, -legislation, -life, -machination, -manifesto, -message, -mission, -narrative, -noise, -notice, -objection, -organization, -paradox, -petition, -play, -practice, -project, -pronunciamento, -proposal, -proposition, -protection, -quip, -raising, -shout, -siege, -sleight, -smile, -snarl, -statement, -statute, -stratagem, -suggestion, -sympathy, -synod, -terror, -thought, -threat, -thrust, -treason, -trespass, -vaunt, -vindication, -volley, -wager. (The stress is on the prefix; in long words there is a secondary stress on the accented syllable of the root-word.)

1880.  Burton, Reign Q. Anne, II. ix. 62. In their *counter-address, the Commons found consolation in the prospects of the war.

1611.  Cotgr., Contreferme, a *counter-affirmation, or *counter-auouchment; an affirmation of that whereof another affirmes the contrarie.

1850.  McCosh, Div. Govt., IV. ii. (1874), 488. The announcement … would ever be met by a *counter announcement.

1581.  J. Bell, Haddon’s Answ. Osor., 384. Touching the *counteraunswere agaynst the sayd Apology.

1611.  Florio, Contrarispósta, a counter answere.

1639.  Fuller, Holy War, I. xvi. (1647), 24. Art promising her self the victorie, and suddenly meeting *counter-art, which mastered her.

1748.  Hartley, Observ. Man, I. iv. 460. Was it not restrained by *Counter-Associations.

1855.  I. Taylor, Restor. Belief (1856), 224. To dispute with him his mission by help of *counter-attestations.

1880.  Muirhead, Gaius, IV. § 16, note. That the respondent … made a *counter averment of ownership.

1847.  De Quincey, Secret Soc., Wks. VII. 248, note. Not knowing the rate of the hostile biddings [they] … had no guide to regulate their own *counterbiddings.

1847.  Grote, Greece, II. lii. (1862), IV. 437. Cheer and *counter-cheer.

Mod. Newspr., Parl. Rep., The result was received with cheers from the ministerial benches, quickly followed by countercheers from the Opposition at the smallness of the majority.

1623.  Rowlandson, God’s Bless., 5. Not even the terrors and *countercommands of the greatest should so interrupt us.

1848.  Mill, Pol. Econ., I. II. xii. § 1. 426. A *counter-competition would commence on the side of capitalists.

1657.  S. W., Schism Dispach’t, 9. I have reason to make a *counter-complaint of the Dr.

1792.  T. Jefferson, Writ. (1830), IV. 462. I would not give in my report till I should see Hammond’s counter-complaint.

1865.  Trollope, Belton Est., xviii. She should encounter the condemnation of Captain Aylmer … by *counter-condemnation of him and his mother.

1879.  G. Meredith, Egoist, III. vi. 107. Cries and *countercries ring out.

1825.  T. Jefferson, Autobiog., Wks. 1859, I. 77. A declaration, and *counter-declaration, were cooked up at Versailles.

a. 1600.  Hooker, E. P., VII. xi. § 9. Their question he repelled with a *counter-demand.

1868.  G. Duff, Pol. Surv., 63. Russia … to make a *counter demonstration to us … launched … a great expedition against Khiva.

1874.  W. Wallace, Hegel’s Logic, 13. Dogmatism … against which there would be an equal right of *counter-dogmatism.

1611.  Cotgr., Contr’effort, a *counter effort; or, effort vsed against force.

1849.  Grote, Greece, II. lxii. (1862), V. 389. If liberty be energetically assailed, the *counter-energy necessary for its defence may be found wanting.

1872.  Morley, Voltaire (1886), 67. That … enthusiasm, which can only make sure of itself by disparaging the object of a *counter-enthusiasm.

1867.  Mill, Inaug. Addr., 24. The value of Mathematics … has even been insisted on so exclusively as to provoke a *counter-exaggeration.

1816.  Coleridge, Statesm. Man., p. xxxv. A sort of sanative *counter-excitement.

1855.  Milman, Lat. Chr. (1864), II. 340–1. Excommunication and *counter-excommunication, the validity of which might be questioned by either party.

1806–7.  J. Beresford, Miseries Hum. Life (1826), VI. xxviii. You cannot hear … one guide for the continual *counter-gabble of the other.

1822–56.  De Quincey, Confess. (1862), 107. In the *counter-gift of the proud post-office was nothing.

1864.  Kingsley, Rom. & Teut., vii. (1875), 165. He answered by some *counter-insult.

1875.  Stubbs, Const. Hist., III. xviii. 202. Warwick … began a *counter-intrigue.

1611.  Cotgr., Contr’-invective, a *counter-inuectiue; an answer to an inuectiue.

1862.  Ellicott, Destiny of Creature, ii. 26. A mysterious and pervasive *counter-law.

1882–3.  Schaff, Encycl. Relig. Knowl., I. 762. To secure *counter-legislation.

1836.  Thirlwall, Greece, III. xvii. 39. Through the *counter-machinations of Sparta.

1865.  Merivale, Rom. Emp., VIII. lxv. 176. In the *counter-narrative of the Jews even the name of Christian is contemptuously disregarded.

1651.  Jer. Taylor, Serm. for Year, I. xiii. 169. To drown the noises of Sinai … with a *counternoise of revelling.

1885.  Law Rep. 30 ch. D. 571. The Plaintiff accepted the notice and proceeded to give certain *counter-notices under it.

1879.  Farrar, St. Paul, I. 266. The objections … could be met by *counter objections of serious importance.

1887.  J. F. Hogan, Irish in Australia, ix. (1888), 175. [They] … formed themselves into a *counter-organisation…, and agitated for the perpetuation of the system.

a. 1674.  Clarendon, Hist. Reb. (1843), 515/2 (J.). Others of an opposite party were appointed to set a *counter petition on foot.

1878.  Browning, La Saisiaz, 15. What might be the Marshal’s next move, what Gambetta’s *counter-play.

a. 1745.  Swift, Wks. (1784), III. 454 (J.). The obligation … was struck out of the counterproject by the Dutch.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., II. 462. Wildman then brought forward a counterproject.

1890.  G. Saintsbury, in New Rev., Feb., 137. The recent anti-Republican *counter-pronunciamiento at Rio.

1885.  Manch. Even. News, 9 Jan., 2/6. The French *counter proposals … will have an exclusively financial character.

1867.  A. Barry, Sir C. Barry, vi. 217. Mr. White addressed a *counter-proposition to the Treasury.

1865.  Grote, Plato, Pref. (1875), 7/2, note. Proposition and counter-proposition, the thesis which one impugns, as well as that which one sustains.

1817.  Ld. Castlereagh, in Parl. Deb., 1849. We could not adopt such liberal principles … whilst the system of protection and *counter-protection was maintained in other countries.

1641.  Milton, Animadv., Wks. 1738, I. 99. This is a more Edomitish conceit than the former, and must be silenced with a *counter-quip of the same Country.

1611.  Florio, Contralzáta, a *counter raising.

1857.  Hughes, Tom Brown, II. iii. With their shouts and *counter-shouts of encouragement.

1611.  Speed, Hist. Gt. Brit., XI. v. § 36. Seauen weekes thus spent, in this *counter siege of the City and Castle.

1611.  Cotgr., Contreruse, a *counter-sleight; a wile for a wile; one tricke in lieu of another.

1621.  Burton, Anat. Mel., II. iii. VII. If he … give but a *countersnarl, there’s not a dog dares meddle with him.

1855.  Motley, Dutch Rep., V. iv. (1866), 723. It was soon … followed by a *counter-statement … containing his account of the same matters.

1643.  Milton, Divorce, II. iii. (1851), 68. By his own Antinomie, or *counter-statute.

1688.  H. Wharton, Enthus. Ch. Rome, 98. The stratagems and *counterstratagems of the Devil, and the Saints.

1836–7.  Sir W. Hamilton, Metaph. (1877), I. v. 88. It requires … a long and powerful *counter-sympathy in a nation to untwine the ties of custom.

a. 1677.  Barrow, Pope’s Suprem., Wks. 1859, VIII. 60. These Synods … reprobated by Popes in *Counter-Synods.

1879.  Q. Rev., April, 402. Some *counter-terror evidently neutralised a terror so potent.

1858.  J. Martineau, Stud. Chr., 281. What hinders … the interchange … of thought and *counterthought?

1880.  Burton, Reign Q. Anne, III. xiv. 19. The policy … was met by a *counter-threat.

1861.  Beresf. Hope, Eng. Cathedr. 19th C., vi. § 1. 226. The lighter kinds of stone … may be employed in groining without requiring an excessive *counterthrust.

1611.  Cotgr., Contretrahison, A *counter-treason; treason against treason.

1884.  H. Spencer, in Contemp. Rev., July, 40. Among primitive peoples, trespasses are followed by *counter-trespasses.

1851.  Mayne Reid, Scalp Hunt., xliv. Only … a *counter-vaunt, the retaliation of a pang.

1880.  Muirhead, Gaius, I. § 134. In the event of the father asserting no *counter-vindication.

1876.  G. Meredith, Beauch. Career (1889), 60. Volleys and *countervolleys of fishy Venetian.

1875.  Poste, Gaius, IV. § 167. He is ordered to pay the sums of the wager and *counterwager in which he was promisor.

  b.  Also with agent-nouns, as counter-defender, -orator, -witness; COUNTER-APPELLANT, -CLAIMANT.

1609.  Bp. W. Barlow, Answ. Nameless Cath., 229. To all these this *Contre-defender scarse spends three Sections.

1797.  E. M. Lomax, Philanthrope, 171 No. 22. ‘Be obscure!’ and set the *counter-orator … at utter defiance.

1660.  Ingelo, Bentiv. & Urania, II. Pref. Cicero, whom I have opposed to him as a *counter-witness.

  4.  Acting in reversal of a former action; as in cou·nter-co:nquest, -reform, -restoration, -sale; COUNTER-REFORMATION, -REVOLUTION.

1626.  Ailesbury, Passion Serm., 19. Hee falls into an agony, in a *counterconquest of affection.

1871.  Freeman, Hist. Ess., Ser. I. ii. 47. Another stands alone … in passing a *counter-reform bill.

1875.  Stubbs, Const. Hist., III. xviii. 200. The newly founded dynasty might be strengthened against the risks of a *counter-restoration.

1616.  Budden, trans. Aerodius’ Disc. Parents Hon., 2. So many *countersales, which made them bond again.

  5.  Done or acting in reciprocation of or return for another thing of the same kind; reciprocal; as in cou·nter-acqui:ttance, -assurance, -engagement, -equivalent, -gage, -love, -obligation, -offer, -service, -token.

1611.  Cotgr., Contrequictence, a *counter-acquittance.

1651.  Hobbes, Leviath., I. xvi. 81. The Covenant … is not valid, without his *Counter-assurance.

1880.  Burton, Reign Q. Anne, I. i. 48. The *counter-equivalent of the oaths of allegiance taken by the subject.

1611.  Cotgr., Contregage, a *counter-gage, or counter-pawne.

1635.  Quarles, Embl., V. viii. (1718), 277. Can … thy affection last without the fuel Of *counter-love.

1884.  Standard, 4 March, 5/4. Acts of benevolence on the part of the Sultan, without any *counter-obligation towards him.

1788.  T. Jefferson, Wks. (1859), II. 483. Denmark is asking the *counter-offer of mediation from this court.

1607.  Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. iv. Trophies, 716. One cannot vse th’ ayde of the Powrs below Without some Pact of *Counter-services.

1611.  Florio, Contraségno, a *counter token, or signe.

1632.  J. Hayward, trans. Biondi’s Eromena, 22. Received of his master … the counter-token for getting againe the horse.

  6.  Opposite locally: a. Having an opposite direction, back-; in nouns of action, as cou·nter-fli:ght, -flow, -migra:tion, -pull, -radiation, -retreat, -sway, -vibration; also in other nouns, as cou·nter-si·de, -stream, -tack, -wave, -wind, COUNTER-SEA, -SLOPE, TIDE, in which counter is also written separately as an adj.

c. 1611.  Chapman, Iliad, VII. 190. But he must make no *counterflight.

1870.  R. M. Ferguson, Electr., 55. Faraday’s experiment shews that no such *counterflow takes place.

1871.  Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1876), IV. xviii. 172. Migrations and *Counter-migrations which have gone on in various ages between Armorica and West Wales.

1857.  Mrs. Carlyle, Lett., II. 341. A *counter-pull … in the direction of order.

1851.  Herschel, Stud. Nat. Phil., II. vi. 163. Faster than its heat can be restored … by *counter-radiation.

1612.  Two Noble Kinsmen, I. i. A *counter-reflect ’gainst My brother’s heart.

1817.  Colebrooke, Algebra, 295. The product of half the sides and *countersides is the gross area.

1719.  De Foe, Crusoe, I. 220. The Rocks … check’d the Violence of the Stream, and made a kind of *Counter-Stream or Eddy.

1830.  Southey, Lett. (1856), IV. 178. He … having been carefully bred up in atheism, became a fanatic, by much such a process of reaction as has made M—— take precisely the *counter-tack.

1787.  Roy, in Phil. Trans., LXXVII. 205, note. A pointed plummet, suspended to the top of the frame, has a small degree of *counter-vibration to that of the ball.

1874.  R. Tyrwhitt, Sketching Club, 201. The water … meets shore, or *counter-wave.

  b.  Formed at the opposite side; as in COUNTER-CLEFT, -FISSURE, -FRACTURE, q.v.

  7.  Across, crossing, making an angle with; as in counter-haft, -tree (= counter-bar); COUNTER-BAR, -LATH, -LODE.

1611.  Florio, Contramánico, a *counterhaft or handle.

1813.  W. Beattie, Tales, 53 (Jam.). The door was slightly girded tee, Wi an auld tow an’ *conter-tree.

  8.  Forming the opposite member or constituent of anything that has naturally two opposite parts, as COUNTER-BALANCE, -FOIL, -PART, -POISE, -STOCK, -TALLY, etc.; or constituting a second thing of the same kind standing opposite, parallel to, or side by side with the original, as counter-branch, -pillar, COUNTER-EARTH; often with notions of balancing, checking, sustaining thrust, or of mutual adaptation, correspondence, etc.; as in COUNTER-CIPHER, -COPY, -DIE, -MARK, -SEAL, -TYPE.

1581.  Mulcaster, Positions, xxxix. (1887), 183. Yong maidens … be *counter-braunches to vs in the kinde of mortall and reasonable creatures.

1717.  Berkeley, Tour in Italy, § 14. Pillars of jasper, with *counter-pillars of alabaster.

  b.  Like It. contra-, F. contre-, often denoting that which is the counterpart of a thing or person, and hence the duplicate or parallel, the copy or substitute, or that which is the complementary, accessary, or subservient ‘second’ of another, = rear-, sub-; as in counter-base, -border, -pond, etc.; COUNTER-ADMIRAL, -DIKE, -DRAIN, -WALK, -WARDEN [cf. CONTRE-MASTER].

1611.  Cotgr., Contrebase, a *counterbase; the lowest part of a Basis, or the part, or peece, whereon it stands.

1712.  J. James, trans. Le Blond’s Gardening, 26. Pieces of Parterre of Embroider’d-Work, with *Counter-Borders.

1611.  Cotgr., Contr’estang, a Poole-damme; a back-poole, or *counter-pond; a … hollow ground, whereinto the water of a Pond, thats to be fished, is let.

  9.  Having the contrary tendency, nature, action or position; running counter (to something else); opposing, opposite, contrary; as in counter-advantage, -cause, -craft, -difficulty, -discipline, -doctrine, -establishment, fact, formula, -hypothesis, -idea, -ideal, -interest, -necromancy, -picture, -plan, -principle, -process, -project, -reason, -religion, -technicality, -tendency, -theory, -translation, -truth, -warmth. (The stress is usually equal, as in adjective + substantive, and the prefix tends to be written separately: see COUNTER a.)

1885.  Manch. Even. News, 23 March, 3/4. No *counter advantages … would induce the committee to pass the bill if they thought the bar would be damaged.

1684.  T. Burnet, Th. Earth, I. 203. Unless there be some *counter-causes that hinder this general rule of nature from taking place.

1603.  Florio, Montaigne, I. xxv. (1632), 83. Let him borrow this pleasant *counter-craft of Aristippus.

1856.  Dove, Logic Chr. Faith, I. ii. 69. A pious … endeavour to obviate a *counter-difficulty.

1678.  Lively Orac., viii. § 46. 319. That has set up a *counter-discipline to that of the Gospel.

1865.  M. Arnold, Ess. Crit., ix. (1875), 388. The full exposition of the *counter-doctrine to the popular doctrine of final causes is to be found in the Ethics.

1797.  Haighton, in Phil. Trans., LXXXVII. 170. Contrasting these solitary observations with a numerous train of *counterfacts.

1872.  Morley, Voltaire (1886), 35. The system to which this was the powerful *counter-formula.

1865.  Grote, Plato, I. ii. 103. The *counter-hypothesis of the discontinuous many.

1882.  H. S. Holland, Logic & Life (1885), 261. I cannot but single out that one supreme expression of this *counter-ideal.

1710.  Norris, Chr. Prud., i. 37. He has no *Counter-interest to deny … or Passion to countermand.

1710.  Shaftesbury, Advice to Author, III. § 2. 159 (Jod.). This is that that occult Science, or sort of *counter-Necromancy, which instead of Ghastliness and Horrour, inspires only what is gentle and humane.

1882.  H. S. Holland, Logic & Life (1885), 261. There are *counter-pictures given us to that of the leaven.

1788.  T. Jefferson, Writ. (1859), II. 519. The *counterplan which they set on foot.

1878.  Morley, Diderot, I. 5. It was the great *counter-principle to asceticism.

1865.  Grote, Plato, Pref. (1875), 7. Reasoners who … recognise no refutation except from the *counter-reason of others.

1822.  T. Jefferson, Writ. (1830), IV. 349. Usurpers of the Christian name, teaching a *counter-religion.

1880.  Burton, Reign Q. Anne, II. viii. 12. The common lawyer could have felt respect for *counter-technicalities.

1851.  Thackeray, Eng. Hum., v. (1858), 214. This *countertranslation, suddenly advertised and so long written.

1879.  Farrar, St. Paul, I. 547. He had demonstrated the errors of his listeners mainly by contrasting them with the *counter-truths which it was his mission to announce.

1763.  Brit. Mag., IV. 221/2. Nothing is more likely to recover the mind from this false attraction, than the *counter-warmth of impartial debate.

  10.  In prepositional combination with an object (expressed, or implied in an adj.): cf. ANTI- II, III. CONTRA- 2.

  a.  Against, contrary to, ANTI-; as counter-sparing: COUNTER-FASHION a., against the fashion; COUNTER-NATURAL a., contrary to nature; often with the sense of ‘specific against, antidote to,’ as in counter-antidote, -pest; COUNTER-BANE, etc.

  b.  Opposed to the true or genuine, false, counterfeit, pseudo-, ANTI-; as counter-apostle, -Christ, -Jesus, -Kaiser, -prophet, -taste, etc.

1611.  Cotgr., Contr’antidote, a remedie, or poison against a preseruatiue; a *counterantidote.

1657.  S. W., Schism Dispach’t, 220. Now that his *counter-Apostle meets him in the same city.

1655.  Trapp, Marrow Gd. Auth. (1868), 830/2. An Anti-christ or *counter-Christ, pretending to be instead of Christ, but fighting against Christ.

1619.  W. Sclater, Exp. 1 Thess. (1630), 91. Iesuites … haue erected their Head to be a Counter Christ; so thousands of others, to be *Counter-Iesuses.

1886.  Blackie, in 19th Cent., April, 532. Pillaging the camp of an audacious *Counter-Kaiser.

1686.  W. de Britaine, Hum. Prud., vi. 29. It will be your Wisdom to carry a *Counterpest or Antidote.

1588.  J. Harvey, Disc. Probl., 70. Hath not euery vocation, profession and estate yeelded some such *counterprophets and pennyfathers.

1611.  Florio, Contralésina, a *counter sparing, a lauishe spender, or expence.

a. 1763.  Shenstone, Wks., II. 320 (Jod.). There is a kind of *countertaste … which maintains a sort of rivalship with the true, and may be expressed by the name concetto.

  11.  Mutually opposed, against each other, reciprocal: in several of the preceding senses: a. with nouns expressing reciprocal action, as COUNTER-CHANGE, reciprocal exchange, counter-struggle, struggle against each other; so counter-conquest, COUNTER-BATTERY, -SCUFFLE, etc.; b. with plurals only, as counter-curses, curses against each other, counter-smiles, smiles to each other; so counter-declarations, -doctrines, -ferments, -forces, -opponents, -principles, -theories, etc.

1605.  Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. iii. I. 484. Where man’s deep zeal and God’s dear favour strove For *Counter conquest in officious love.

1659.  Gauden, Tears of Ch., 407. Cruell *counter-curses and angry Anathema’s against each other.

1845.  H. Rogers, Ess., I. iii. 135. To reconcile inconsistencies and harmonise *counter-declarations.

1735–8.  Bolingbroke, On Parties, 7. Force … may support a Rivalship and erect even *Counter-Establishments.

1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 195, ¶ 2. Unnatural Motions and *Counterferments … in the Body.

1861.  Sat. Rev., XI. 159/1. Take these *counter hypotheses, and see which of the two [etc.].

a. 1774.  Goldsm., trans. Scarron’s Com. Romance (1775), II. 71. To think that there would one day be a *counter marriage between us.

1657.  S. W., Schism Dispach’t, 74. We should be mutually *counter-opponents and counter-defendants.

1851.  G. S. Faber, Many Mansions (1862), 291. The two are clearly *counter-parallels.

1836–7.  Sir W. Hamilton, Metaph. (1877), vi. 101. These two *counter-processes of analysis and synthesis.

1621.  Burton, Anat. Mel., III. ii. II. iii. Those *countersmiles are the dumb shows and prognostics of greater.

1709.  Tatler, No. 43, ¶ 7. The Tangential and Centripetal Forces, by their *counter-struggle, make the Celestial Bodies describe an exact Ellipsis.

1885.  Tennyson, Anc. Sage. No ill, no good! such *counter-terms, my son, Are border-races, holding each its own By endless war.

1836–7.  Sir W. Hamilton, Metaph., xliii. (1870), II. 457. The *counter-theories of Plato and Aristotle.

  12.  Music. = CONTRA- 4: see COUNTERPOINT; as in counter-base = CONTRA-BASS, counter-treble, etc. Cf. COUNTER sb.⁷, v.²

1598.  Florio, Contralto, a counter treble in musicke. Ibid. (1611), Contrasouráno, a counter treble.

  13.  Mil. Applied to works erected to act against the works of the enemy; as in counter-breastwork (Bailey folio), -building, -engine, -gabion, -mount, -sconce, -trench; COUNTER-APPROACH, etc.

1614.  Raleigh, Hist. World, II. 553. The besieged also raised *Counter-buildings.

1641.  Evelyn, Diary (1871), 33. The workes and especially the *Countercamp are curiously hedg’d with quick.

1678.  trans. Gaya’s Arms War, I. 109. Of *Counter-Engines. To hinder Assaults and Storms.

1611.  Florio, Contragabbióne, a *countergabbion. Ibid., Contrafórte, a counter fort or *counterskonce.

1602.  Daniel, Philotas, III. ii. And built her *Counter-mounts upon that side.

1727–51.  Chambers, Cycl., *Counter-trench, a trench made against the besiegers.

  14.  Heraldry. (adjs.) a. Turned in the contrary direction, or (of two figures) in contrary directions, as counter-couchant, -courant, -embowed, -naiant, -rampant, -reflected, -statant (cf. COUCHANT, etc.), COUNTER-PASSANT, -SALIENT, TRIPPANT. b. On the two opposite sides, as counter-indented, -nebulé, -pendent, -raguled or -raguly, etc.; COUNTER-EMBATTLED, -FLEURY. c. Having the tinctures reversed, as COUNTER-ERMINE. d. See quot. 1727, and cf. COUNTER-CHANGED, -COLOURED, -COMPONY.

1727–51.  Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Contre-bend, When there are two ordinaries of the same nature opposite to each other, so as colour be opposed to metal, and metal to colour … the coat is said to be contre- or counter-paled, counter-bended, counter-fessed, counter-componed, or counter-barred.

1761.  Brit. Mag., II. 532. Two arms *counter embowed, and vested, gules.

1882.  Cussans, Her., vi. (ed. 3), 95. Its [the Dolphin’s] usual position is Embowed.… When moving towards the sinister side, it is said to be Counter-embowed.

1864.  Boutell, Heraldry Hist. & Pop., xix. (ed. 3), 311. Within a bordure *counterindented or and gu.

1830.  in Robson, Brit. Herald, III. Gloss., *Counter-nebulée,… borne nebulée on both edges. *Counter pendant, hanging on each side. *Counter-reflected, turned contrary ways from each other.

1882.  Cussans, Her., iv. 64. When a Fess, Bend, or Chevron, is bounded on each side by the lines embattled, potent, or *ragulé, it must be blazoned as Embattled-counter-embattled, or Potent-counter-potent, as the case may be.

1864.  Boutell, Heraldry Hist. & Pop., xxviii. § 2 (ed. 3), 437. Two lions *counter-rampant.