sb. [COUNTER- 8.] a. An inverted arch opposite to another arch. b. A relieving arch or ‘arch of discharge.’ c. An arch connecting counterforts at the top.
1726. Leoni, Designs, Pref. 4 a. Arches and Counter-Arches … make the strongest bond between divided Walls.
1751. Labelye, Westm. Br., 82–3. The two damaged Arches were rebuilt … with much less Materials in the Inside … by Means of a Counter-Arch … and two Semicounter Arches.
1837. Penny Cycl., VIII. 107/2. Counter-forts … are sometimes connected together by counter-arches.
1838. F. W. Simms, Public Wks. Gt. Brit., 22. The [Thames] tunnel is to be made with a circular brick arch and curved side walls, resting on stone footings or skew backs, the whole being supported by a brick invert or counter-arch.
Hence Counter-arch v., to furnish or support with a counter-arch. Counter-arched ppl. a.
1785. Roy, in Phil. Trans., LXXV. 465. This piece being firmly screwed to the cheeks of the slide, and counter-arched outwardly, forms a strong butt for the fixed end of the … rod … to act against.
1828. J. M. Spearman, Brit. Gunner, 354. In order to diminish the pressure of the earth against the revêtement, several tiers of arches may be built between the counterforts in the form of segments of circles, their extremities being worked into the masonry of the counterforts. These form what is called a counter-arched revêtement.
