Shoemaking. [Short for counterfort, in F. contrefort.] The piece of stiff leather forming the back part of a shoe or boot round the heel.
1841. Penny Cycl., XXI. 410/2. The closing of the vamp and counter to the leg [of the boot].
1883. F. D. Y. Carpenter, Round about Rio, vi. 58. When a [Brazilian] man buys a new pair of slippers his first object is to break the counters down out of the way.
1892. Oxford Chron., 7 May, 6/2. The heel may be built a little higher on one side, and a stiff counter used.
