counter

I

count•er

[[t]ˈkaʊn tər[/t]] n.

1) a table or display case on which goods can be shown, business transacted, etc

2) (in restaurants, luncheonettes, etc.) a long, narrow table with stools or chairs along one side for the patrons, behind which food is prepared and served

3) a surface for the preparation of food in a kitchen, esp. on a low cabinet

4) gam anything used to keep account, esp. a disk or other small object used in games, as in checkers

•

- over the counter under the counter

Etymology: 1300–50; ME countour < AF (OF comptoir) < ML computātorium place for computing = L computā(re) to compute II

count•er

[[t]ˈkaʊn tər[/t]] n.

1) a person who counts

2) a device for counting revolutions of a wheel, items produced, etc

3) phs any of various instruments for detecting ionizing radiation and for registering counts, as a Geiger counter

•

Etymology: 1325–75; ME countour < AF (OF conteor) « L computātor=computā(re) to compute+-tor -tor III

coun•ter

[[t]ˈkaʊn tər[/t]] adv.

1) in the wrong way; in the reverse direction

2) contrary; in opposition

3) opposite; opposed; contrary

4) something that is opposite or contrary to something else

5) a blow delivered in receiving or parrying another blow, as in boxing

6) a statement or action made to refute or oppose another statement or action

7) spo a circular parry in fencing

8) clo a piece of leather or the like inside the lining of the upper of a shoe or boot, around the heel, to keep it stiff

9) naut. navig. the part of a vessel's stern that overhangs and projects aft of the sternpost

10) to go counter to; oppose; controvert

11) to meet or answer (a move, blow, etc.) by another in return

12) to make a counter or opposing move

13) to give a blow while receiving or parrying one, as in boxing

•

Etymology: 1400–50; late ME countre < AF co(u)ntre, cuntre, OF contre < L contrā against