[a. F. contre (OF. cuntre, AF. countre); see COUNTER- pref. The adverbial use has mainly arisen by analysis and separation of verbs and verbal sbs. in counter-: e.g., to counteract, countermarch, to act or march counter; so to run counter, etc.]
1. In the opposite direction, back again. To hunt, run, go counter: i.e., in a direction opposite to that which the game has taken; following the scent or trail of game in the reverse direction. Also fig.
c. 1446. Pol. Poems (1859), II. 224. Now ye han founde parfite, love welle your game; For and ye renne countre thenne be ye to blame.
1575. Turberv., Venerie, 243. When a hounde hunteth backwardes the same way that the chase is come, then we say he hunteth counter.
1602. Shaks., Ham., IV. v. 110. How cheerefully on the false Traile they cry. Oh this is Counter, you false Danish Dogges.
1624. Quarles, Job, Div. Poems (1717), 203. Forwards they went, on either hand, and back Return’d they counter.
1648. Milton, Tenure Kings (1650), 57. Sometimes they seem to march on, and presently march counter.
1741. Compl. Fam. Piece, II. i. 292. The great skill in hunting the Buck, is to keep the Hounds from hunting Counter.
1826. Scott, Woodst., iv. Hunting counter, or running a false scent.
† 2. Against the front (of anything), in full face.
1615. G. Sandys, Trav., 34 (J.). They … hitting one another with darts, as the other do with their hands; which they neuer throw counter, but at the backe of the flier.
1654. H. L’Estrange, Chas. I. (1655), 68. The enemy … coming counter and travers of our Canon, they received the greater losse.
3. fig. In opposition or antagonism; contrary; esp. in phrase to run, go, act counter (to).
1643. Sir T. Browne, Relig. Med., I. 55. The practice of men … often runs counter to their theory.
1681. Hickeringill, News fr. Colchester, Wks. (1716), I. 396. If … the Villain swear Counter afterwards.
1768. Sterne, Sent. Journ., Nampont, Postillion. Here am I sitting as candidly disposed to make the best of the worst, as ever wight was, and all runs counter.
1837. Newman, Par. Serm. (ed. 2), III. xix. 302. Let us go counter to Tradition rather than to Scripture.
1858. Carlyle, Fredk. Gt. (1865), I. II. xiv. 130. At least Sigismund voted clearly so, and Jobst said nothing counter.
1874. Green, Short Hist., viii. 478. A policy at home and abroad which ran counter to every national instinct.
† b. Contrariwise. Obs.
1662. Hickeringill, Serm., Wks. (1716), I. 302. Our new Gospellers, just counter, do not walk much like Christians, but can talk Christianly.
† 4. In opposite directions to each other. Obs.
1601. Bp. W. Barlow, Defence, 120. Two foxes tied by the tailes, and their heades turned counter.
1662. Hickeringill, Serm., Wks. (1716), I. 279. The wheels of Providence … may move counter, yet each motion concur to make it go the better.
a. 1704. Locke, Hum. Und., II. xxi. Wks. 1812, I. 237 (J.). In this case, it is plain the will and the desire run counter.
