sb. Obs. [COUNTER- 6.]
1. A movement in a contrary or reverse direction.
1580. North, Plutarch (1676), 750. She [the moon] fades and falls away again, and runs a counter-pace, Vntill she have foregone the light, and figure of her face.
2. A movement or step against something.
1692. Temple, Memoirs, III. 339 (Seager). The rebellion in Scotland broke out; upon which it was pleasant to observe the counterpaces that were made.
1731. Swift, Pref. Temple’s Wks., III. 330. Not … a Person fit to be celebrated for his Part in forwarding that famous League … who had made such Counterpaces to destroy it.
3. A retaliatory action.
1611. Florio, Contrapásso, a counterpace, a forfeiture against law, a law, as we say, limme for limme.
So † Counterpace v.
1611. Florio, Contrapassáre, to transgresse, to do or forfeit against any edict, to counterpace.
