[COUNTER- 2, 3, 6 b.]
1. A stroke given in return; a counter buff.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., V. xi. 7. He met him with a counterstroke so swift, That quite smit off his arme.
1876. J. H. Newman, Hist. Sk., I. I. ii. 53. This alliance suggested to Heraclius the counterstroke of allying himself with the Turkish freebooters.
1891. G. Meredith, One of our Conq., x. The strokes and counterstrokes were like a play of quarterstaff on the sconce.
2. = CONTRECOUP 2.
a. 1786. Justamond (title), Essay on … Counter-strokes…, exclusive of the head.
1882. Syd. Soc. Lex., Counter-stroke, same as Contrecoup and Counter-fissura.
