counter

counter
{{11}}counter (n.) mid-14c., "table where a money lender does business," from O.Fr. contouer, comptoir (14c.) "counting room, table of a bank," from M.L. computatorium "place of accounts," from L. computatus, pp. of computare (see COMPUTE (Cf. compute)). Generalized 19c. from banks to shops, then extended to display cases for goods. Countertop is attested from 1878. Phrase under the counter is from 1926.
{{12}}counter (v.) "go against," late 14c., from O.Fr. countre "facing opposite" (see COUNTER- (Cf. counter-)). Related: Countered; countering. As an adv., from mid-15c.; as an adj., from 1590s.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Counter — Coun ter, a. Contrary; opposite; contrasted; opposed; adverse; antagonistic; as, a counter current; a counter revolution; a counter poison; a counter agent; counter fugue. Innumerable facts attesting the counter principle. I. Taylor. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • counter — coun‧ter [ˈkaʊntə ǁ ər] noun [countable] 1. COMMERCE the place where you are served in a shop, bank etc: • Please pay at the checkout counter. ˈtrade ˌcounter COMMERCE a part of a shop, factory, or website where a business can buy goods for less… …   Financial and business terms

  • counter — Ⅰ. counter [1] ► NOUN 1) a long flat topped fitment over which goods are sold or served or across which business is conducted with customers. 2) a small disc used in board games for keeping the score or as a place marker. 3) a token representing… …   English terms dictionary

  • counter — counter1 [kount′ər] n. [ME countour: in senses 1 & 2 < OFr conteor < L computator < computare; in senses 3, 4, 5 < OFr contouer, counting room, table of a bank < ML computatorium < L computare,COMPUTE] 1. a) a person or thing… …   English World dictionary

  • Counter — Coun ter, adv. [F. contre, fr. L. contra against. Cf. {Contra }.] 1. Contrary; in opposition; in an opposite direction; contrariwise; used chiefly with run or go. [1913 Webster] Running counter to all the rules of virtue. Locks. [1913 Webster] 2 …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • counter- — coun·ter / kau̇n tər/ prefix 1 a: contrary: opposite counter letter b: opposing: retaliatory counter action 2: complementary: corresponding …   Law dictionary

  • Counter- — Coun ter (koun t[ e]r ). Note: [See {Counter}, adv. ] A prefix meaning contrary, opposite, in opposition; as, counteract, counterbalance, countercheck. See {Counter}, adv. & a. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Counter — Count er (koun t[ e]r), n. [OE. countere, countour, a counter (in sense 1), OF. contere, conteor, fr. conter to count. See {Count}, v. t. ] 1. One who counts, or reckons up; a calculator; a reckoner. [1913 Webster] 2. A piece of metal, ivory,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Counter — Coun ter, n. [See {Counter}, adv., {Contra}.] 1. (Naut.) The after part of a vessel s body, from the water line to the stern, below and somewhat forward of the stern proper. [1913 Webster] 2. (Mus.) Same as {Contra}. Formerly used to designate… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • counter — [adj] opposite, opposing adverse, against, antagonistic, anti, antipodal, antipodean, antithetical, conflicting, contradictory, contrary, contrasting, converse, diametric, hindering, impeding, obstructive, obverse, opposed, polar, reverse;… …   New thesaurus

  • Counter — Coun ter, n. [OE. countour, OF. contouer, comptouer, F. comptoir, LL. computatorium, prop., a computing place, place of accounts, fr. L. computare. See {Count}, v. t.] A table or board on which money is counted and over which business is… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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