The Wordsmith Dictionary

Coun "ter, n. Etym: [OE. countour, OF. contouer, comptouer, F.comptoir, LL. computatorium, prop. , a computing place, place of accounts, fr. L. computare. See Count, v. t.]

Defn: A table or board on which money is counted and over which business is transacted; a long, narrow table or bench, on which goods are laid for examination by purchasers, or on which they are weighed or measured.

COUNTER

Coun "ter, adv. Etym: [F. contre, fr. L. contra against. Cf. Contra-. ]

1. Contrary; in opposition; in an opposite direction; contrariwise; - - used chiefly with run or go. Running counter to all the rules of virtue. Locks.

2. In the wrong way; contrary to the right course; as, a hound that runs counter. This is counter, you false Danish dogs! Shak.

3. At or against the front or face. [R.] Which [darts ] they never throw counter, but at the back of the flier. Sandys.

COUNTER

COUNTER Coun "ter, a.

Defn: 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. Counter approach (Fort. ), a trench or work pushed forward from defensive works to meet the approaches of besiegers. See Approach. -- Counter bond (Law ), in old practice, a bond to secure one who has given bond for another. -- Counter brace. See Counter brace, in Vocabulary. -- Counter deed (Law ), a secret writing which destroys, invalidates, or alters, a public deed. -- Counter distinction, contradistinction. [Obs. ] -- Counter drain, a drain at the foot of the embankment of a canal or watercourse, for carrying off the water that may soak through. -- Counter extension (Surg.), the fixation of the upper part of a limb, while extension is practiced on the lower part, as in cases of luxation or fracture. -- Counter fissure (Surg.) Same as Contrafissure. -- Counter indication. (Med. ) Same as Contraindication. -- Counter irritant (Med. ), an irritant to produce a blister, a pustular eruption, or other irritation in some part of the body, in order to relieve an existing irritation in some other part. "Counter irritants are of as great use in moral as in physical diseases." Macaulay. -- Counter irritation (Med. ), the act or the result of applying a counter irritant. -- Counter opening, an aperture or vent on the opposite side, or in a different place. -Counter parole (Mil. ), a word in addition to the password, given in time of alarm as a signal. -- Counter plea (Law ), a replication to a plea. Cowell. -- Counter pressure, force or pressure that acts in a contrary direction to some other opposing pressure. -- Counter project, a project, scheme, or proposal brought forward in opposition to another, as in the negotiation of a treaty. Swift. -- Counter proof, in engraving, a print taken off from another just printed, which, by being passed through the press, gives a copy in reverse, and of course in the same position as that of plate from which the first was printed, the object being to enable the engraver to inspect the state of the plate. -- Counter revolution, a revolution opposed to a former one, and restoring a former state of things. -- Counter revolutionist, one engaged in, or befriending, a counter revolution. -- Counter round (Mil. ), a body of officers whose duty it is to visit and inspect the rounds and sentinels. -- Counter sea (Naut. ), a sea running in an opposite direction from the wind. -- Counter sense, opposite meaning. -- Counter signal, a signal to answer or correspond to another. -- Counter signature, the name of a secretary or other officer countersigned to a writing. . Tooke. -- Counter slope, an overhanging slope; as, a wall with a counter slope. Mahan. -- Counter statement, a statement made in opposition to, or denial of, another statement. -- Counter surety, a counter bond, or a surety to secure one who has given security. -- Counter tally, a tally corresponding to another. -- Counter tide, contrary tide.

COUNTER

Coun "ter, n. Etym: [See Counter, adv. , Contra. ]

1. (Naut. )

Defn: The after part of a vessel's body, from the water line to the stern, -- below and somewhat forward of the stern proper.

2. (Mus. )

Defn: Same as Contra. Formerly used to designate any under part which served for contrast to a principal part, but now used as equivalent to counter tenor.

3. (Far. )

Defn: The breast, or thet part of a horse between the shoulders and under the neck.

4. The back leather or heel part of a boot.

COUNTER

COUNTER Coun "ter (koun "tr ), n.

Defn: An encounter. [Obs. ] With kindly counter under mimic shade. Spenser.

COUNTER

COUNTER Coun "ter, v. i. (Boxing )

Defn: To return a blow while receiving one, as in boxing. His left hand countered provokingly. C. Kingsley.

COUNTERACT

Coun `ter *act " (koun `tr-kt "), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Counteracted; p. pr. & vb. n. Counteracting. ]

Defn: To act in opposition to; to hinder, defeat, or frustrate, by contrary agency or influence; as, to counteract the effect of medicines; to counteract good advice.

COUNTERACTION

COUNTERACTION Coun `ter *ac "tion (koun `tr-k "shn ), n.

Defn: Action in opposition; hindrance resistance. [They ] do not. .. overcome the counteraction of a false principle or of stubborn partiality. Johnson.

COUNTERACTIVE

COUNTERACTIVE Coun `ter *act "ive (-kt "v ), a.

Defn: Tending to counteract.

COUNTERACTIVE

COUNTERACTIVE Coun `ter *act "ive, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, counteracts.

COUNTERACTIVELY

COUNTERACTIVELY Coun `ter *act "ive *ly, adv.

Defn: By counteraction.

COUNTERBALANCE

Coun `ter *bal "ance (-bl "ans ), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Counterbalanced (-anst ); p. pr. & vb. n. Counterbalancing. ]

Defn: To oppose with an equal weight or power; to counteract the power or effect of; to countervail; to equiponderate; to balance. The remaining air was not able to counterbalance the mercurial cylinder. Boyle.The cstudy of mind is necessary to counterbalance and correct the influence of the study of nature. Sir W. Hamilton.

COUNTERBALANCE

COUNTERBALANCE Coun "ter *bal `ance (koun "tr-bl `ans ), n.

Defn: A weight, power, or agency, acting against or balancing another; as: (a ) A mass of metal in one side of a driving wheel or fly wheel, to balance the weight of a crank pin, etc. , on the opposite side of the wheel. (b ) A counterpoise to balance the weight of anything, as of a drawbridge or a scale beam. Money is the counterbalance to all other things purchasable by it. Locke.

COUNTERBORE

COUNTERBORE Coun "ter *bore ` (-br `), n.

1. A flat-bottomed cylindrical enlargement of the mouth of a hole, usually of slight depth, as for receiving a cylindrical screw head.

2. A kind of pin drill with the cutting edge or edges normal to the axis; -- used for enlarging a hole, or for forming a flat-bottomed recess at its mouth.

COUNTERBORE

COUNTERBORE Coun `ter *bore " (koun `tr-br "), v. t.

Defn: To form a counterbore in, by boring, turning, or drilling; to enlarge, as a hole, by means of a counterbore.

COUNTER BRACE

COUNTER BRACE Coun "ter brace ` (brs `).

1. (Naut. )

Defn: The brace of the fore-topsail on the leeward side of a vessel.

2. (Engin. )

Defn: A brace, in a framed structure, which resists a strain of a character opposite to that which a main brace is designed to receive.

Note: In a quadrilateral system of bracing, the main brace is usually in the direction of one diagonal, and the counter brace in the direction of the other. Strains in counter braces are occasioned by the live load only, as, in a roof, by the wind, or, in a bridge, by a moving train.

COUNTERBRACE

COUNTERBRACE Coun "ter *brace `, v. t.

1. (Naut. )

Defn: To brace in opposite directions; as, to counterbrace the yards, i. e., to brace the head yards one way and the after yards another.

2. (Engin. )

Defn: To brace in such a way that opposite strains are resisted; to apply counter braces to.

COUNTERBUFF

COUNTERBUFF Coun `ter *buff " (koun `tr-bf "), v. t.

Defn: To strike or drive back or in an opposite direction; to stop by a blow or impulse in front. Dryden.

COUNTERBUFF

COUNTERBUFF Coun "ter *buff ` (koun "tr-bf `), n.

Defn: A blow in an opposite direction; a stroke that stops motion or cause a recoil.

COUNTERCAST

COUNTERCAST Coun "ter *cast ` (koun "tr-kst `), n.

Defn: A trick; a delusive contrivance. [Obs. ] Spenser.

COUNTERCASTER

COUNTERCASTER Coun "ter *cast `er (-r ), n.

Defn: A caster of accounts; a reckoner; a bookkeeper; -- used conteptuously.

COUNTERCHANGE

Coun `ter *change " (koun `tr-chnj ), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Counterchanged (-chnjd "); p. pr. & vb. n. Counterchanging.]

1. To give and receive; to cause to change places; to exchange.

2. To checker; to diversify, as in heraldic counterchanging. See Counterchaged, a., 2. With-elms, that counterchange the floor Of this flat lawn with dusk and bright. Tennyson.

COUNTERCHANGE

COUNTERCHANGE Coun "ter *change ` (koun "tr-chnj `), n.

Defn: Exchange; reciprocation.

COUNTERCHANGED

COUNTERCHANGED Coun `ter *changed " (-chnjd "), a.

1. Exchanged.

2. (Her. )

Defn: Having the tinctures exchanged mutually; thus, if the field is divided palewise, or and azure, and cross is borne counterchanged, that part of the cross which comes on the azure side will be or, and that on the or side will be azure.

COUNTERCHARGE

COUNTERCHARGE Coun "ter *charge ` (koun "tr-chrj `), n.

Defn: An opposing charge.

COUNTERCHARM

Coun `ter *charm " (koun `tr-chrm "), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Countercharmed (-chrmd `); p. pr. & vb. n. Countercharming.]

Defn: To destroy the effect of a charm upon.

COUNTERCHARM

COUNTERCHARM Coun "ter *charm ` (koun "tr-chrm `), n.

Defn: That which has the power of destroying the effect of a charm.

COUNTERCHECK

Coun `ter *check " (koun `tr-chk "), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Counterchecked (-chckt "); p. pr. & vb. n. Counterchecking.]

Defn: To oppose or check by some obstacle; to check by a return check.

COUNTERCHECK

COUNTERCHECK Coun "ter *check ` (koun "tr-chk `), n.

1. A check; a stop; a rebuke, or censure to check a reprover.

2. Any force or device designed to restrain another restraining force; a check upon a check. The system of checks and counterchecks. J. H. Newton.

COUNTERCLAIM

COUNTERCLAIM Coun "ter *claim ` (-klm `), n. (Law )

Defn: A claim made by a person as an offset to a claim made on him.

COUNTER-COMPONY

COUNTER-COMPONY Coun "ter-com *po `ny (-km-p `n ), a. (Her. )

Defn: See Compony.

COUNTER-COUCHANT

COUNTER-COUCHANT Coun "ter-couch `ant (koun "tr-kouch "ant ), a. (Her. )

Defn: Lying down, with their heads in opposite directions; -- said of animals borne in a coat of arms.

COUNTER-COURANT

COUNTER-COURANT Coun "ter-cou *rant " (-k-rnt "), a. (Her. )

Defn: Running in opposite directions; -- said of animals borne in a coast of arms.

COUNTERCURRENT

COUNTERCURRENT Coun "ter *cur `rent (koun "tr-kr `-rent ), a.

Defn: Running in an opposite direction.

COUNTERCURRENT

COUNTERCURRENT Coun "ter *cur `rent, n.

Defn: A current running in an opposite direction to the main current.

COUNTERDRAW

Coun `ter *draw " (koun `tr-dr "), v. t. [imp. Counterdrew (-dr "); p. p.Counterdrawn (-drn "); p. pr. & vb. n. Counterdrawing. ]

Defn: To copy, as a design or painting, by tracing with a pencil on oiled paper, or other transparent substance.

COUNTERFAISANCE

COUNTERFAISANCE Coun "ter *fai "sance (koun "tr-f "zans ), n.

Defn: See Counterfesance. [Obs. ]

COUNTERFEIT

Coun "ter *feit (koun "tr-ft ), a. Etym: [F. contrefait, p. p. of contrefaire to counterfeit; contre (L. contra ) + faire to make, fr. L. facere. See Counter, adv. , and Fact. ]

1. Representing by imitation or likeness; having a resemblance to something else; portrayed. Look here upon this picture, and on this-The counterfeit presentment of two brothers. Shak.

2. Fabricated in imitation of something else, with a view to defraud by passing the false copy for genuine or original; as, counterfeit antiques; counterfeit coin. "No counterfeit gem. " Robinson (More's Utopia ).

3. Assuming the appearance of something; false; spurious; deceitful; hypocritical; as, a counterfeit philanthropist. "An arrant counterfeit rascal. " Shak.

Syn. -- Forged; fictitious; spurious; false.

COUNTERFEIT

COUNTERFEIT Coun "ter *feit, n.

1. That which resembles or is like another thing; a likeness; a portrait; a counterpart. Thou drawest a counterfeit Best in all Athens. Shak. Even Nature's self envied the same, And grudged to see the counterfeit should shame The thing itself. Spenser.

2. That which is made in imitation of something, with a view to deceive by passing the false for the true; as, the bank note was a counterfeit. Never call a true piece of gold a counterfeit. Shak. Some of these counterfeits are fabricated with such exquisite taste and skill, that it is the achievement of criticism to distinguish them from originals. Macaulay.

3. One who pretends to be what he is not; one who personates another; an impostor; a cheat. I fear thou art another counterfeit; And yet, in faith, thou bears'st thee like a king. Shak.

COUNTERFEIT

Coun "ter *feit, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Counterfeited; p. pr. & vb. n.Counterfeiting.]

1. To imitate, or put on a semblance of; to mimic; as, to counterfeit the voice of another person. Full well they laughed with counterfeited glee At all his jokes, for many a joke had he. Goldsmith.

2. To imitate with a view to deceiving, by passing the copy for that which is original or genuine; to forge; as, to counterfeit the signature of another, coins, notes, etc.

COUNTERFEIT

COUNTERFEIT Coun "ter *feit, v. i.

1. To carry on a deception; to dissemble; to feign; to pretend. The knave counterfeits well; a good knave. Shak.

2. To make counterfeits.

COUNTERFEITER

COUNTERFEITER Coun "ter *feit `er (-ft `r ), n.

1. One who counterfeits; one who copies or imitates; especially, one who copies or forges bank notes or coin; a forger. The coin which was corrupted by counterfeiters. Camden.

2. One who assumes a false appearance or semblance; one who makes false pretenses. Counterfeiters of devotion. Sherwood.

COUNTERFEITLY

COUNTERFEITLY Coun "ter *feit `ly, adv.

Defn: By forgery; falsely.

COUNTERFESANCE

Coun "ter *fe `sance (-f "zans ), n. Etym: [OF. contrefaisance, fr. contrefaire. See Counterfeit, a.]

Defn: The act of forging; forgery. [Obs. ] [Written also counterfaisance. ]

COUNTERFLEURY

Coun "ter *fleu `ry (koun "tr-fl `r ), a. Etym: [F. contrefleuri.] (Her. )

Defn: Counterflory.

COUNTERFLORY

Coun "ter *flo `ry (-fl `r ), a. Etym: [See Counterfleury. ] (Her. )

Defn: Adorned with flowers (usually fleurs-de-lis ) so divided that the tops appear on one side and the bottoms on the others; -- said of any ordinary.

COUNTERFOIL

Coun "ter *foil ` (-foil ), n. Etym: [Counter- + foil a leaf. ]

1. That part of a tally, formerly in the exchequer, which was kept by an officer in that court, the other, called the stock, being delivered to the person who had lent the king money on the account; - - called also counterstock. [Eng. ]

2. The part of a writing (as the stub of a bank check ) in which are noted the main particulars contained in the corresponding part, which has been issued.

COUNTERFORCE

COUNTERFORCE Coun "ter *force ` (-frs `), n.

Defn: An opposing force.

COUNTERFORT

COUNTERFORT Coun "ter *fort ` (-frt `), n.

1. (Fort. )

Defn: A kind of buttress of masonry to strengthen a revetment wall.

2. A spur or projection of a mountain. Imp. Dict.

COUNTERGAGE

COUNTERGAGE Coun "ter *gage ` (-gj `), n. (Carp. )

Defn: An adjustable gage, with double points for transferring measurements from one timber to another, as the breadth of a mortise to the place where the tenon is to be made. Knight.

COUNTERGLOW

COUNTERGLOW Coun "ter *glow `, n. (Astron.)

Defn: An exceedingly faint roundish or somewhat oblong nebulous light near the ecliptic and opposite the sun, best seen during September and October, when in the constellations Sagittarius and Pisces. Its cause is not yet understood. Called also Gegenschein.

COUNTERGUARD

COUNTERGUARD Coun "ter *guard ` (koun "tr-grd `), n. (Fort. )

Defn: A low outwork before a bastion or ravelin, consisting of two lines of rampart parallel to the faces of the bastion, and protecting them from a breaching fire.

COUNTERIRRITANT; COUNTERIRRITATION

COUNTERIRRITANT; COUNTERIRRITATION Coun "ter *ir `ri *tant (-r "r-tant ), n., Coun "ter *ir `ri *ta "tion, n.

Defn: See Counter irritant, etc. , under Counter, a.

COUNTERIRRITATE

COUNTERIRRITATE Coun "ter *ir "ri *tate (koun "tr-r "r-tt ), v. t. (Med. )

Defn: To produce counter irritation in; to treat with one morbid process for the purpose of curing another.

COUNTERJUMPER

COUNTERJUMPER Coun "ter *jump `er (koun "tr-jmp `r ), n.

Defn: A salesman in a shop; a shopman; -- used contemtuously. [Slang ]

COUNTERLATH

COUNTERLATH Coun "ter *lath `, n. (Building ) (a ) A batten laid lengthwise between two rafters to afford a bearing for laths laid crosswise. (b ) Any lath laid without actual measurement between two gauged laths. (c ) Any of a series of laths nailed to the timbers to raise the sheet lathing above their surface to afford a key for plastering. (d ) One of many laths used in preparing one side of a partition or framed wall, when the other side has been covered in and finished.

COUNTERMAN

Coun "ter *man (koun "tr-man ), n.; pl. Countermen (-men ).

Defn: A man who attends at the counter of a shop to sell goods. [Eng. ]

COUNTERMAND

Coun `ter *mand " (koun `tr-mnd "), v. t. [imp & p. p. Countermanded; p.pr. & vb. n. Countermanding. ] Etym: [F. contremander; contre (L. contra ) + mander to command, fr. L. mandare. Cf. Mandate. ]

1. To revoke (a former command ); to cancel or rescind by giving an order contrary to one previously given; as, to countermand an order for goods.

2. To prohibit; to forbid. [Obs. ] Avicen countermands letting blood in choleric bodles. Harvey.

3. To oppose; to revoke the command of. For us to alter anuthing, is to lift ourselves against God; and, as it were, to countermand him. Hooker.

COUNTERMAND

COUNTERMAND Coun "ter *mand (koun "tr-mnd ), n.

Defn: A contrary order; revocation of a former order or command. Have you no countermand for Claudio yet, But he must die to-morrow Shak.

COUNTERMANDABLE

COUNTERMANDABLE Coun `ter *mand "a *ble (-mnd "-b'l ), a.

Defn: Capable of being countermanded; revocable. Bacon.

COUNTERMARCH

Coun `ter *march " (koun `tr-mrch "), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Countermarched (-mrcht "); p. pr. & vb. n. Countermarching.] (Mil. )

Defn: To march back, or to march in reversed order. The two armies marched and countermarched, drew near and receded. Macaulay.

COUNTERMARCH

COUNTERMARCH Coun "ter *march ` (koun "tr-mrch `), n.

1. A marching back; retrocession.

2. (Mil. )

Defn: An evolution by which a body of troops change front or reverse the direction of march while retaining the same men in the front rank; also, a movement by which the rear rank becomes the front one, either with or without changing the right to the left.

3. A change of measures; alteration of conduct. Such countermarches and retractions as we do not willingly impute to wisdom. T. Burnet.

COUNTERMARK

COUNTERMARK Coun "ter *mark ` (-mrk `), n.

1. A mark or token added to those already existing, in order to afford security or proof; as, an additional or special mark put upon a package of goods belonging to several persons, that it may not be opened except in the presence of all; a mark added to that of an artificer of gold or silver work by the Goldsmiths' Company of London, to attest the standard quality of the gold or silver; a mark added to an ancient coin or medal, to show either its change of value or that it was taken from an enemy.

2. (Far. )

Defn: An artificial cavity made in the teeth of horses that have outgrown their natural mark, to disguise their age.

COUNTERMARK

COUNTERMARK Coun `ter *mark " (koun `tr-mrk "), v. t.

Defn: To apply a countenmark to; as, to countermark silverware; to countermark a horse's teeth.

COUNTERMINE

Coun "ter *mine ` (koun "tr-mn `), n. Etym: [Counter- + mine underground gallery: cf. F. contermine.]

1. (Mil. )

Defn: An underground gallery excavated to intercept and destroy the mining of an enemy.

2. A stratagem or plot by which another sratagem or project is defeated. Thinking himself contemned, knowing no countermine against contempt but terror. Sir P. Sidney.

COUNTERMINE

Coun `ter *mine " (koun `tr-mn "), v. t. Etym: [Cf. F. contreminer.] [imp. & p. p. Countermined; p. pr. & vb. n. Countermining.]

1. (Mil. )

Defn: To oppose by means or a countermine; to intercept with a countermine.

2. To frustrate or counteract by secret measures.

COUNTERMINE

COUNTERMINE Coun `ter *mine ", v. i.

Defn: To make a countermine or counterplot; to plot secretly. 'Tis hard for man to countermine with God. Chapman.

COUNTERMOVE

COUNTERMOVE Coun `ter *move " (koun `tr-mv "), v. t. & i.

Defn: To move in a contrary direction to.

COUNTERMOVE; COUNTERMOVEMENT

Coun "ter *move ` (-mv `), n. Coun "ter *move `ment (-ment ).

Defn: A movement in opposition to another.

COUNTERMURE

Coun "ter *mure ` (-mr `), n. Etym: [Counter- + mure: cf. F. contremur.](Fort. )

Defn: A wall raised behind another, to supply its place when breached or destroyed. [R.] Cf. Contramure. Knolles.

COUNTERMURE

Coun `ter *mure " (koun `tr-mr "), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Countermured (-mrd "); p. pr. & vb. n. Countermuring.] Etym: [Cf. F. contremurer.]

Defn: To fortify with a wall behind another wall. [R.] Kyd.

COUNTERNATURAL

COUNTERNATURAL Coun "ter *nat `u *ral (koun "tr-nt `-ral; 135 ), a.

Defn: Contrary to nature. [R.] Harvey.

COUNTER-PALY

Coun "ter-pa `ly (-p `l ), a. Etym: [F. contre-palé.] (Her. )

Defn: Paly, and then divided fesswise, so that each vertical piece is cut into two, having the colors used alternately or counterchanged. Thus the escutcheon in the illustration may also be blazoned paly of six per fess counterchanged argent and azure.

COUNTERPANE

Coun "ter *pane ` (koun "tr-pn `), n. Etym: [See Counterpoint, corrupted into counterpane, from the employment of pane-shaped figures in these coverlets. ]

Defn: A coverlet for a bed, -- originally stitched or woven in squares or figures. On which a tissue counterpane was cast. Drayton.

COUNTERPANE

Coun "ter *pane `, n. Etym: [OF. contrepan a pledge, security; contre +pan a skirt, also, a pawn or gage, F. pan a skirt. See Pane, and cf. Pawn. ] (O. Law )

Defn: A duplicate part or copy of an indenture, deed, etc. , corresponding with the original; -- now called counterpart. Read, scribe; give me the counterpane. B. Jonson.

COUNTERPART

COUNTERPART Coun "ter *part ` (koun "tr-prt `), n.

1. A part corresponding to another part; anything which answers, or corresponds, to another; a copy; a duplicate; a facsimile. In same things the laws of Normandy agreed with the laws of England, so that they seem to be, as it were, copies or counterparts one of another. Sir M. Hale.

2. (Law )

Defn: One of two corresponding copies of an instrument; a duplicate.

3. A person who closely resembles another.

4. A thing may be applied to another thing so as to fit perfectly, as a seal to its impression; hence, a thing which is adapted to another thing, or which suplements it; that which serves to complete or complement anything; hence, a person or thing having qualities lacking in another; an opposite. O counterpart Of our soft sex, well are you made our lords. Dryden.

COUNTERPASSANT

Coun "ter *pas `sant (-ps "sant ), a. Etym: [Counter- + passant: cf. F.contrepassant.] (Her. )

Defn: Passant in opposite directions; -- said of two animals.

COUNTERPLEAD

COUNTERPLEAD Coun `ter *plead " (koun `tr-pld "), v. t.

Defn: To plead the contrary of; to plead against; to deny.

COUNTERPLOT

Coun `ter *plot " (koun `tr-plt "), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Counterplotted;p.pr. & vb. n. Counterplotting. ]

Defn: To oppose, as another plot, by plotting; to attempt to frustrate, as a stratagem, by stratagem. Every wile had proved abortive, every plot had been counterplotted. De Quinsey.

COUNTERPLOT

COUNTERPLOT Coun "ter *plot ` (koun "tr-plt `), n.

Defn: A plot or artifice opposed to another. L'Estrange.

COUNTERPOINT

Coun "ter *point ` (koun "tr-point `), n. Etym: [Counter- + point. ]

Defn: An opposite point [Obs. ] Sir E. Sandys.

COUNTERPOINT

Coun "ter *point `, n. Etym: [F. contrepoint; cf. It. contrappunto. Cf. Contrapuntal. ] (Mus. ) (a ) The setting of note against note in harmony; the adding of one or more parts to a given canto fermo or melody. (b ) The art of polyphony, or composite melody, i. e., melody not single, but moving attended by one or more related melodies. (c ) Music in parts; part writing; harmony; polyphonic music. See Polyphony. Counterpoint, an invention equivalent to a new creation of music. Whewell.

COUNTERPOINT

Coun "ter *point `, n. Etym: [OF. contrepoincte, corruption of earlier counstepointe, countepointe, F. courtepointe, fr. L. culcita cushion, mattress (see Quilt, and cf. Cushion ) + puncta, fem. p. p. of pungere to prick (see Point ). The word properly meant a stitched quilt, with the colors broken one into another. ]

Defn: A coverlet; a cover for a bed, often stitched or broken into squares; a counterpane. See 1st Counterpane. Embroidered coverlets or counterpoints of purple silk. Sir T. North.

COUNTERPOISE

COUNTERPOISE Coun "ter *poise ` (koun "tr-poiz `; 277 ), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Counterpoised (-poizd `); p. pr. & vb. n. Counterpoising. ] Etym: [OE. countrepesen, counterpeisen, F. contrepeser. See Counter, adv. , and Poise, v. t. ]

1. To act against with equal weight; to equal in weght; to balance the weight of; to counterbalance. Weigts, counterpoising one another. Sir K. Digby.

2. To act against with equal power; to balance. So many freeholders of English will be able to beard and counterpoise the rest. Spenser.

COUNTERPOISE

Coun "ter *poise ` (koun "tr-poiz `), n. Etym: [OE. countrepese, OF. contrepois, F. contrepods. See Counter, adv. , and Poise, n.]

1. A weight sufficient to balance another, as in the opposite scale of a balance; an equal weight. Fastening that to our exact balance, we put a metalline counterpoise into the opposite scale. Boyle.

2. An equal power or force acting in opposition; a force sufficient to balance another force. The second nobles are a counterpoise to the higher nobility, that they grow not too potent. Bacon.

3. The relation of two weights or forces which balance each other; equilibrum; equiponderance. The pendulous round eart, with balanced air, In counterpoise. Milton.

COUNTERPOLE

COUNTERPOLE Coun "ter *pole ` (-pl `), n.

Defn: The exact opposite. The German prose offers the counterpole to the French style. De Quincey.

COUNTERPONDERATE

COUNTERPONDERATE Coun `ter *pon "der *ate (-pn "dr-t ), v. t.

Defn: TO equal in weight; to counterpoise; to equiponderate.

COUNTERPROVE

Coun `ter *prove " (koun `tr-prv "), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Counterproved (-prvd "); p. pr. & vb. n. Counterproving.]

Defn: To take a counter proof of, or a copy in reverse, by taking an impression directly from the face of an original. See Counter proof, under Counter.

COUNTERREVOLUTIONARY; COUNTER-REVOLUTIONARY

COUNTERREVOLUTIONARY; COUNTER-REVOLUTIONARY counterrevolutionary counter-revolutionary adj.

Defn: marked by opposition or antipathy to revolution; as, ostracized for his counterrevolutionary tendencies. Opposite of revolutionary. [WordNet 1.5 ]

COUNTER-ROLL

Coun "ter-roll ` (-rl `), n. Etym: [Cf. Control. ] (O. Eng. Law )

Defn: A duplicate roll (record or account ) kept by an officer as a check upon another officer's roll. Burrill.

Note: As a verb this word is contracted into control. See Control.

COUNTERROLMENT

COUNTERROLMENT Coun `ter *rol "ment (koun `tr-rl "ment ), n.

Defn: A counter account. See Control. [Obs. ] Bacon.

COUNTER-SALIENT

COUNTER-SALIENT Coun `ter-sa "li *ent (-s "l-ent or -sl "yent; 1 6 ), a. (Her. )

Defn: Leaping from each other; -- said of two figures on a coast of arms.

COUNTERSCALE

COUNTERSCALE Coun "ter *scale ` (koun "tr-skl `), n.

Defn: Counterbalance; balance, as of one scale against another. [Obs. ] Howell.

COUNTERSCARF

Coun "ter *scarf ` (-skrf `), n. Etym: [Counter- + scarp: cf. F.contrescarpe.] (Fort. )

Defn: The exterior slope or wall of the ditch; -- sometimes, the whole covered way, beyond the ditch, with its parapet and glacis; as, the enemy have lodged themselves on the counterscarp.

COUNTERSEAL

Coun `ter *seal " (koun `tr-sl "), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Countersealed (-sld "); p. pr. & vb. n. Countersealing.]

Defn: To seal or ratify with another or others. Shak.

COUNTERSECURE

COUNTERSECURE Coun `ter *se *cure " (-s-kr "), v. t.

Defn: To give additional security to or for. Burke.

COUNTERSHAFT

COUNTERSHAFT Coun "ter *shaft ` (koun "tr-shft `), n. (Mach. )

Defn: An intermediate shaft; esp. , one which receives motion from a line shaft in a factory and transmits it to a machine.

COUNTERSIGN

Coun `ter *sign " (-sn `; 277 ), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Countersigned (-snd `); p. pr. & vb. n. Countersigning. ] Etym: [Counter- + sign: cf. F. contresigner. ]

Defn: To sign on the opposite side of (an instrument or writing ); hence, to sign in addition to the signature of a principal or superior, in order to attest the authenticity of a writing.

COUNTERSIGN

COUNTERSIGN Coun "ter *sign `, a.

1. The signature of a secretary or other officer to a writing signed by a principal or superior, to attest its authenticity.

2. (Mil. )

Defn: A private signal, word, or phrase, which must be given in order to pass a sentry; a watchword.

COUNTERSINK

Coun "ter *sink ` (koun "tr-sk `; 277 ), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Countersunk (-s; p. pr. & vb. n. Countersinking.]

1. To chamfer or form a depression around the top of (a hole in wood, metal, etc. ) for the reception of the head of a screw or bolt below the surface, either wholly or in part; as, to countersink a hole for a screw.

2. To cause to sink even with or below the surface; as, to countersink a screw or bolt into woodwork.

COUNTERSINK

COUNTERSINK Coun "ter *sink `, n.

1. An enlargement of the upper part of a hole, forming a cavity or depression for receiving the head of a screw or bolt.

Note: In the United States a flaring cavity formed by chamfering the edges of a round hole is called a countersink, while a cylindrical flat-bottomed enlargement of the mouth of the hole is usually called a conterbore.

2. A drill or cutting tool for countersinking holes.

COUNTERSTAND

COUNTERSTAND Coun "ter *stand ` (-st, n.

Defn: Resistance; opposition; a stand against. Making counterstand to Robert Guiscard. Longfellow.

COUNTERSTEP

COUNTERSTEP Coun "ter *step ` (koun "tr-stp `), n.

Defn: A contrary method of procedure; opposite course of action.

COUNTERSTOCK

COUNTERSTOCK Coun "ter *stock ` (-stk `), n.

Defn: See Counterfoil.

COUNTERSTROKE

COUNTERSTROKE Coun "ter *stroke ` (-strk `), n.

Defn: A stroke or blow in return. Spenser.

COUNTERSUNK

COUNTERSUNK Coun "ter *sunk ` (-snk `), p. p. & a. from Countersink.

1. Chamfered at the top; -- said of a hole.

2. Sunk into a chamfer; as, a countersunk bolt.

3. Beveled on the lower side, so as to fit a chamfered countersink; as, a countersunk nailhead.

COUNTERSWAY

COUNTERSWAY Coun "ter *sway ` (-sw `), n.

Defn: A swaying in a contrary direction; an opposing influence. [Obs. ] A countersway of restraint, curbing their wild exorbitance. Milton.

COUNTER TENOR

Coun "ter ten `or (tn `r ). Etym: [OF. contreteneur. Cf. Contratenor, and see Tenor a part in music. ] (Mus. )

Defn: One of the middle parts in music, between the tenor and the treble; high tenor. Counter-tenor clef (Mus. ), the C clef when placed on the third line; -- also called alto clef.

COUNTERTERM

COUNTERTERM Coun "ter *term ` (-trm `), n.

Defn: A term or word which is the opposite of, or antithesis to, another; an antonym; -- the opposite of synonym; as, "foe " is the counterterm of "friend ". C. J. Smith.

COUNTERTIME

COUNTERTIME Coun "ter *time ` (-tm `), n.

1. (Man. )

Defn: The resistance of a horse, that interrupts his cadence and the measure of his manege, occasioned by a bad horseman, or the bad temper of the horse.

2. Resistance; opposition. [Obs. ] Give not shus the countertime to fate. Dryden.

COUNTERTRIPPANT

COUNTERTRIPPANT Coun "ter *trip `pant (-trp `pant ), a. (Her. )

Defn: Trippant in opposite directions. See Trippant.

COUNTERTRIPPING

COUNTERTRIPPING Coun "ter *trip `ping (-trp `png ), a. (Her. )

Defn: Same as Countertrippant.

COUNTERTURN

COUNTERTURN Coun "ter *turn ` (-t, n.

Defn: The critical moment in a play, when, contrary to expectation, the action is embroiled in new difficulties. Dryden.

COUNTERVAIL

Coun `ter *vail " (koun `tr-vl "), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Countervailed (-vld ); p. pr. & vb. n. Countervailing. ] Etym: [OF. contrevaloir; contre (L. contra ) + valoir to avail, fr. L. valere to be strong, avail. See Vallant.]

Defn: To act against with equal force, power, or effect; to thwart or overcome by such action; to furnish an equivalent to or for; to counterbalance; to compensate. Upon balancing the account, the profit at last will hardly countervail the inconveniences that go allong with it. L'Estrange.

COUNTERVAIL

COUNTERVAIL Coun "ter *vail ` (koun "tr-vl `), n.

Defn: Power or value sufficient to obviate any effect; equal weight, strength, or value; equivalent; compensation; requital. [Obs. ] Surely, the present pleasure of a sinful act is a poor countervail for the bitterness of the review. South.

COUNTERVALLATION

COUNTERVALLATION Coun `ter *val *la "tion (-vl-l "sn ), n. (Fort. )

Defn: See Contravallation.

COUNTERVIEW

COUNTERVIEW Coun "ter *view ` (koun "tr-v `), n.

1. An opposite or opposing view; opposition; a posture in which two persons front each other. Within the gates of hell sat Death and Sin, In counterview. Milton M. Peisse has ably advocated the counterview in his preface and appendixx. Sir W. Hamilton.

2. A position in which two dissimilar things illustrate each other by opposition; contrast. I have drawn some lines of Linger's character, on purpose to place it in counterview, or contrast with that of the other company. Swift.

COUNTERVOTE

COUNTERVOTE Coun `ter *vote " (koun `tr-vt "), v. t.

Defn: To vote in opposition ti; to balance or overcome by viting; to outvote. Dr. J. Scott.

COUNTERWAIT

COUNTERWAIT Coun `ter *wait ", v. t.

Defn: To wait or watch for; to be on guard against. [Obs. ] Chaucer.

COUNTERWEIGH

COUNTERWEIGH Coun `ter *weigh " (-w "), v. t.

Defn: To weigh against; to counterbalance.

COUNTER WEIGHT

COUNTER WEIGHT Coun "ter *weight ` (-wt `), n.

Defn: A counterpoise.

COUNTERWHEEL

COUNTERWHEEL Coun `ter *wheel " (-hwl "), v. t. (Mil. )

Defn: To cause to wheel or turn in an opposite direction.

COUNTERWORK

COUNTERWORK Coun `ter *work " (-wrk "), v. t.

Defn: To work in oppositeion to; to counteract. That counterworksh folly and caprice. Pope.

COUNTESS

Count "ess (kount "s ), n.; pl. Countesses (-. Etym: [F. comtesse. See Count a nobleman. ]

Defn: The wife of an earl in the British peerage, or of a count in the Continental nobility; also, a lady possessed of the same dignity in her own right. See the Note under Count.

COUNTINGHOUSE; COUNTINGROOM

COUNTINGHOUSE; COUNTINGROOM Count "ing *house ` (kount "ng-hous `), Count "ing *room ` (kount "ng-rm `), n.Etym: [See Count, v. ]

Defn: The house or room in which a merchant, trader, or manufacturer keeps his books and transacts business.

COUNTLESS

COUNTLESS Count "less (-ls ), a.

Defn: Incapable of being counted; not ascertainable; innumerable.

COUNTOR

Count "or (kount "r ), n. Etym: [From Count, v. t. (in sense 4 ).] (O.Eng. Law )

Defn: An advocate or professional pleader; one who counted for his client, that is, orally pleaded his cause. [Obs. ] Burrill.

COUNTOUR; COUNTOURHOUSE

Coun *tour " (kn-tr "), Coun *tour "house ` (-hous `), n. Etym: [See 2d Counter. ]

Defn: A merchant's office; a countinghouse. [Obs. ] Chaucer.

COUNTRE-

COUNTRE- Coun "tre- (koun "ter- ).

Defn: Same as prefix Counter-. [Obs. ]

COUNTREPLETE

Coun `tre *plete " (-plt "), v. t. Etym: [Countre- + plete to plead. ]

Defn: To counterplead. [Obs. ] Chaucer.

COUNTRETAILLE

Coun "tre *taille ` (koun "tr-tl `), n. Etym: [F. contretaille; contre (L.contra ) + taille cut. See Tally. ]

Defn: A counter tally; correspondence (in sound ). [Obs. ] At the countretaille, in return. Chaucer.

COUNTRIFIED

COUNTRIFIED Coun "tri *fied (kn "tr-fld ), p. a.

Defn: Having the appearance and manners of a rustic; rude. As being one who took no pride, And was a deal too countrified. Lloyd.

COUNTRIFY

COUNTRIFY Coun "tri *fy (kn "tr-f ), v. t.

Defn: To give a rural appearance to; to cause to appear rustic. Lamb.

COUNTRY

Coun "try (kn "tr ), n.; pl. Countries (-tr. Etym: [F. contr, LL. contrata, fr. L. contra over against, on the opposite side. Cf. Counter, adv. , Contra. ]

1. A tract of land; a region; the territory of an independent nation; (as distinguished from any other region, and with a personal pronoun ) the region of one's birth, permanent residence, or citizenship. Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred. Gen. xxxxii. 9.I might have learned this by my last exile, that change of countries cannot change my state. Stirling. Many a famous realm And country, whereof here needs no account Milton.

2. Rural regions, as opposed to a city or town. As they walked, on their way into the country. Mark xvi. 12 (Rev. Ver. ). God made the covatry, and man made the town. Cowper. Only very great men were in the habit of dividing the year between town and country. Macualay.

3. The inhabitants or people of a state or a region; the populace; the public. Hence: (a ) One's constituents. (b ) The whole body of the electors of state; as, to dissolve Parliament and appeal to the country. All the country in a general voice Cried hate upon him. Shak.

4. (Law ) (a ) A jury, as representing the citizens of a country. (b ) The inhabitants of the district from which a jury is drawn.

5. (Mining. )

Defn: The rock through which a vein runs. Conclusion to the country. See under Conclusion. -- To put, or throw, one's self upon the country, to appeal to one's constituents; to stand trial before a jury.

COUNTRY

COUNTRY Coun "try, a.

1. Pertaining to the regions remote from a city; rural; rustic; as, a country life; a country town; the country party, as opposed to city.

2. Destitute of refinement; rude; unpolished; rustic; not urbane; as, country manners.

3. Pertaining, or peculiar, to one's own country. She, bowing herself towards him, laughing the cruel tyrant to scorn, spake in her country language. 2 Macc. vii. 27.

COUNTRY BANK

COUNTRY BANK Coun "try bank. (Banking )

Defn: A national bank not in a reserve city. [Colloq. , U. S.]

COUNTRY-BASE

COUNTRY-BASE Coun "try-base ` (-bs `), n.

Defn: Same as Prison base.

COUNTRY CLUB

COUNTRY CLUB Coun "try club.

Defn: A club usually located in the suburbs or vicinity of a city or town and devoted mainly to outdoor sports.

COUNTRY COUSIN

COUNTRY COUSIN Coun "try cousin.

Defn: A relative from the country visiting the city and unfamiliar with city manners and sights.

COUNTRY-DANCE

Coun "try-dance ` (-dns `), n. Etym: [Prob. an adaptation of contradance. ]

Defn: See Contradance. He had introduced the English country-dance to the knowledge of the Dutch ladies. Macualay.

COUNTRYMAN

Coun "try *man (kn "tr-man ), n.; pl. Countrymen (-men ).

1. An inhabitant or native of a region. Shak.

2. One born in the same country with another; a compatriot; -- used with a possessive pronoun. In perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen. 2 Cor. xi. 26.

3. One who dwells in the country, as distinguished from a townsman or an inhabitant of a city; a rustic; a husbandman or farmer. A simple countryman that brought her figs. Shak.

COUNTRY SEAT

COUNTRY SEAT Coun "try seat ` (kn "tr st `).

Defn: A dwelling in the country, used as a place of retirement from the city.

COUNTRYSIDE

COUNTRYSIDE Coun "try *side ` (-sd `), n.

Defn: A particular rural district; a country neighborhood. [Eng. ] W. Black. Blackmore.

COUNTRYWOMAN

Coun "try *wom `an (-wm `an ), n.; pl. Countrywomen (-w.

Defn: A woman born, or dwelling, in the country, as opposed to the city; a woman born or dwelling in the same country with another native or inhabitant. Shak.

COUNT-WHEEL

COUNT-WHEEL Count "-wheel ` (kount "hwl `), n.

Defn: The wheel in a clock which regulates the number of strokes.

COUNTY

Coun "ty (koun "t ), n.; pl. Counties (-t. Etym: [F. comt, fr. LL. comitatus. See Count. ]

1. An earldom; the domain of a count or earl. [Obs. ]

2. A circuit or particular portion of a state or kingdom, separated from the rest of the territory, for certain purposes in the administration of justice and public affairs; -- called also a shire. See Shire. Every county, every town, every family, was in agitation. Macaulay.

3. A count; an earl or lord. [Obs. ] Shak. County commissioners. See Commissioner. -- County corporate, a city or town having the privilege to be a county by itself, and to be governed by its own sheriffs and other magistrates, irrespective of the officers of the county in which it is situated; as London, York, Bristol, etc. [Eng. ] Mozley & W. -- County court, a court whose jurisdiction is limited to county. -- County palatine, a county distingushed by particular privileges;-- so called a palatio (from the palace ), because the owner had originally royal powers, or the same powers, in the administration of justice, as the king had in his palace; but these powers are now abridged. The counties palatine, in England, are Lancaster, Chester, and Durham. -- County rates, rates levied upon the county, and collected by the boards of guardians, for the purpose of defraying the expenses to which counties are liable, such as repairing bridges, jails, etc. [Eng. ] -- County seat, a county town. [U.S.] -- County sessions, the general quarter sessions of the peace for each county, held four times a year. [Eng. ] -- County town, the town of a county, where the county business is transacted; a shire town.

New American Oxford Dictionary

count

count 1 |kount kaʊnt | ▶verb 1 [ with obj. ] determine the total number of (a collection of items ): I started to count the stars I could see | they counted up their change. • [ no obj. ] recite numbers in ascending order, usually starting at the number one: hold the position as you count to five. • [ no obj. ] (count down ) recite or display numbers backward to zero to indicate the time remaining before the launch of a rocket or the start of an operation: the floor manager pointed at the camera and counted down. • [ no obj. ] (count down ) prepare for a significant event in the short time remaining before it: with more orders expected, the company is counting down to a bumper Christmas. 2 [ with obj. ] take into account; include: the staff has shrunk to four, or five if you count the summer intern. • (count someone in ) include someone in an activity or the plans for it: if the project gets started, count me in. • consider (someone or something ) to possess a specified quality or fulfill a specified role: she met some rebuffs from people she had counted as her friends | [ with obj. and complement ] : I count myself fortunate to have known him. • [ no obj. ] be regarded as possessing a specified quality or fulfilling a specified role: the rebate counts as taxable income. 3 [ no obj. ] be significant: it did not matter what the audience thought —it was the critics that counted. • (of a factor ) play a part in influencing opinion for or against someone or something: he hopes his sportsmanlike attitude will count in his favor . • (count for ) be worth (a specified amount ): he has no power base and his views count for little. • (count toward ) be included in an assessment of (a final result or amount ): reduced rate contributions do not count toward your pension. • (count on /upon ) rely on: whatever you're doing, you can count on me. ▶noun 1 an act of determining the total number of something: at the last count, fifteen applications were still outstanding | the party's only candidate was eliminated at the first count. • the total determined by such an action: there was a moderate increase in the white cell count in both patients. 2 an act of reciting numbers in ascending order, up to the specified number: hold the position for five counts | hold it for a count of seven. • Boxing an act of reciting numbers up to ten by the referee when a boxer is knocked down, the boxer being considered knocked out if still down when ten is reached. • Baseball the number of balls and strikes that have been charged to the batter, as recalculated with each pitch: the count on Gwynn is 1 ball and 2 strikes. 3 a point for discussion or consideration: the program remained vulnerable on a number of counts. • Law a separate charge in an indictment: he pleaded guilty to five counts of murder. 4 the measure of the fineness of a yarn expressed as the weight of a given length or the length of a given weight. • a measure of the fineness of a woven fabric expressed as the number of warp or weft threads in a given length. PHRASES beat the count (of a boxer who has been knocked down ) get up before the referee counts to ten. count one's blessings be grateful for what one has. count the cost calculate the consequences of something, typically a careless or foolish action. count the days (or hours ) be impatient for time to pass: they counted the days until they came home on leave. count ( something ) on the fingers of one hand used to emphasize the small number of a particular thing: I could count on the fingers of one hand the men I know who are desperate to experience fatherhood. count ( one's ) pennies see penny. count sheep see sheep. don't count your chickens before they're hatched proverb don't be too confident in anticipating success or good fortune before it is certain: I wouldn't count your chickens —I've agreed to sign the contract but that's all I've agreed to. down (or Brit. out ) for the count Boxing defeated by being knocked to the canvas and unable to rise within ten seconds. • unconscious or soundly asleep. keep count (or a count ) take note of the number or amount of something: you can protect yourself by keeping a count of what you drink. lose count forget how many of something there are, esp. because the number is so high: I've lost count of the hundreds of miles I've covered. take the count Boxing be knocked out. PHRASAL VERBS count someone out 1 complete a count of ten seconds over a fallen boxer to indicate defeat. 2 not include someone in an activity: if this is a guessing game, you can count me out. 3 (in children's games ) select a player for dismissal or a special role by using a counting rhyme. count something out take items one by one from a stock of something, esp. money, keeping a note of how many one takes: opening the wallet, I counted out 19 dollars. ORIGIN Middle English (as a noun ): from Old French counte (noun ), counter (verb ), from the verb computare ‘calculate ’ (see compute ).

count

count 2 |kaʊnt kount | ▶noun a European nobleman whose rank corresponds to that of an English earl. DERIVATIVES count ship |-ˌSHip |noun ORIGIN late Middle English: from Old French conte, from Latin comes, comit- ‘companion, overseer, attendant ’ (in late Latin ‘person holding a state office ’), from com- ‘together with ’ + it- ‘gone ’ (from the verb ire ‘go ’).

countable

count a ble |ˈkountəbəl ˈkaʊn (t )əbəl | ▶adjective able to be counted.

countback

count |back |ˈkaʊntbak | ▶noun a method of deciding the winner of a tied game or competition by awarding it to the contestant with the better score in the later part.

countdown

count down |ˈkountˌdoun ˈkaʊn (t )ˌdaʊn | ▶noun [ usu. in sing. ] an act of counting numerals in reverse order to zero, esp. to time the last seconds before the launching of a rocket or missile: the launch crews would begin their final countdown. • (often countdown to ) the final moments before a significant event and the procedures carried out during this time: it is hard to imagine the countdown to war continuing without an intensification of diplomacy. • a digital display that counts down.

countenance

coun te nance |ˈkountn-əns ˈkaʊnt (ə )nəns | ▶noun 1 a person's face or facial expression: his impenetrable eyes and inscrutable countenance give little away. 2 support: she was giving her specific countenance to the occasion. ▶verb [ with obj. ] admit as acceptable or possible: he was reluctant to countenance the use of force. PHRASES keep one's countenance maintain one's composure, esp. by refraining from laughter. keep someone in countenance help someone to remain calm and confident: to keep herself in countenance she opened her notebook. out of countenance disconcerted or unpleasantly surprised: I put him clean out of countenance just by looking at him. ORIGIN Middle English: from Old French contenance ‘bearing, behavior, ’ from contenir (see contain ). The early sense was ‘bearing, demeanor, ’ also ‘facial expression, ’ hence ‘the face. ’

counter

coun ter 1 |ˈkountər ˈkaʊn (t )ər | ▶noun 1 a long flat-topped fixture in a store or bank across which business is conducted with customers. • a similar structure used for serving food and drinks in a cafeteria or bar. • a countertop. 2 an apparatus used for counting: the counter tells you how many pictures you have taken. • a person who counts something, for example votes in an election. • Physics an apparatus used for counting individual ionizing particles or events. 3 a small disk used as a place marker or for keeping the score in board games. • a token representing a coin. PHRASES behind the counter serving in a store or bank: ask the young man behind the counter. over the counter by ordinary retail purchase, with no need for a prescription or license: [ as adj. ] : over-the-counter medicines. • (of share transactions ) taking place outside the stock exchange system. under the counter (or table ) (with reference to goods bought or sold ) surreptitiously and typically illegally: certain labs have been peddling this drug under the counter | [ as adj. ] : an under-the-counter deal. ORIGIN Middle English ( sense 3 ): from Old French conteor, from medieval Latin computatorium, from Latin computare (see compute ).

counter

coun ter 2 |ˈkaʊn (t )ər ˈkountər | ▶verb [ with obj. ] speak or act in opposition to: the second argument is more difficult to counter. • [ no obj. ] respond to hostile speech or action: “What would you like me to do about it? ” she countered. • [ no obj. ] Boxing give a return blow while parrying: he countered with a left hook. ▶adverb (counter to ) in the opposite direction to or in conflict with: some actions by the authorities ran counter to the call for leniency. ▶adjective responding to something of the same kind, esp. in opposition. See also counter-. ▶noun 1 [ usu. in sing. ] a thing that opposes or prevents something else: the stimulus to employers' organization was partly a counter to growing union power. • an answer to an argument or criticism: he anticipates an objection and plans his counter. • Boxing a blow given while parrying; a counterpunch. 2 the curved part of the stern of a ship projecting aft above the waterline. 3 Printing the white space enclosed by a letter such as O or c. ORIGIN late Middle English: from Old French contre, from Latin contra ‘against, ’ or directly from counter- .

counter

coun ter 3 |ˈkaʊn (t )ər ˈkountər | ▶noun the back part of a shoe or boot, enclosing the heel. ORIGIN mid 19th cent.: abbreviation of counterfort ‘buttress, ’ from French contrefort .

counter-

coun ter- |ˈkaʊntə | ▶prefix denoting opposition, retaliation, or rivalry: counterattack | counterespionage. • denoting movement or effect in the opposite direction: counterbalance | counterpoise. • denoting correspondence, duplication, or substitution: counterpart | counterpoint. ORIGIN from Anglo-Norman French countre-, Old French contre, from Latin contra ‘against. ’

counteract

coun ter act |ˈkountərˌakt kaʊntərˈækt | ▶verb [ with obj. ] act against (something ) in order to reduce its force or neutralize it: should we deliberately intervene in the climate system to counteract global warming? DERIVATIVES coun ter ac tion |ˌkountərˈakSHən |noun, coun ter ac tive |kountərˈaktiv |adjective

counterargument

coun ter ar gu ment |ˈkountərˈärgyəmənt ˌkaʊntərˈɑrɡjəmənt | ▶noun an argument or set of reasons put forward to oppose an idea or theory developed in another argument: the obvious counterargument to that dire prediction is that the recession has depressed earnings.

counterattack

coun ter at tack |ˈkountərəˌtak ˈkaʊntərətæk | ▶noun an attack made in response to one by an enemy or opponent. ▶verb [ no obj. ] attack in response: as deputies tried to dislodge him, he counterattacked by forcing through elections. DERIVATIVES coun ter-at tack er noun

counter-attraction

counter-attrac ¦tion |ˈkaʊnt (ə )rətrakʃ (ə )n | ▶noun a rival attraction: it is a pity that this book may not triumph over the counter-attractions on the booksellers' shelves.

counterbalance

coun ter bal ance ▶noun |ˈkountərˌbaləns ˈkaʊn (t )ərˌbæləns |a weight that balances another weight. • a factor having the opposite effect to that of another and so preventing it from exercising a disproportionate influence: his restoration to power was intended as a counterbalance to his rival's influence. ▶verb |ˌkountərˈbaləns ˌkaʊntərˈbæləns | [ with obj. ] (of a weight ) balance (another weight ). • neutralize or cancel by exerting an opposite influence: the extra cost of mail order may be counterbalanced by its convenience.

counterblast

coun ¦ter |blast |ˈkaʊntəblɑːst | ▶noun a strongly worded reply to someone else's views: a counterblast to the growing propaganda of the Left.

counterblow

coun ter blow |ˈkountərˌblō ˈkaʊntərbloʊ | ▶noun a blow given in return.

counterbore

coun ter bore |ˈkountərˌbôr ˈkaʊntərbɔr | ▶noun a drilled hole that has a flat-bottomed enlargement at its mouth. • a drill whose bit has a uniform smaller diameter near the tip, for drilling counterbores in one operation. ▶verb [ with obj. ] drill a counterbore in (an object ).

counterchange

coun ter change |ˈkountərˌCHānj ˈˌkaʊn (t )ərˈˌtʃeɪnʤ | ▶verb [ with obj. ] 1 change (places or parts ); interchange. 2 literary checker with contrasting colors. • Heraldry interchange the tinctures of (a charge ) with that of a divided field. ▶noun change that is equivalent in degree but opposite in effect to a previous change. ORIGIN late Middle English (as a heraldic term ): from French contrechanger, from contre (expressing substitution ) + changer ‘to change. ’

countercharge

coun ter charge |ˈkountərˌCHärj ˈkaʊn (t )ərˌtʃɑrʤ | ▶noun an accusation made in turn by someone against their accuser: charges and countercharges concerning producers, quotas, and affidavits. • a charge by police or an armed force in response to one made against them.

countercheck

count er check |ˈkountərˌCHek ˈˌkaʊn (t )ərˈˌtʃɛk | ▶noun 1 a second check for security or accuracy. 2 archaic a restraint. ▶verb [ with obj. ] archaic stop (something ) by acting to cancel or counteract it: the king with his own hand wrote to countercheck his former decree.

counterclaim

coun ter claim |ˈkountərˌklām ˈkaʊn (t )ərˌkleɪm | ▶noun a claim made to rebut a previous claim. • Law a claim made by a defendant against the plaintiff. ▶verb [ no obj. ] chiefly Law make a counterclaim for something.

counterclockwise

coun ter clock wise |ˌkountərˈkläkˌwīz ˌkaʊn (t )ərˈklɑkˌwaɪz | ▶adverb & adjective in the opposite direction to the way in which the hands of a clock move around.

counterconditioning

coun ter con di tion ing |ˌkountərkənˈdiSH (ə )niNG ˌkaʊntərkənˈdiʃənɪŋ | ▶noun a technique employed in animal training, and in the treatment of phobias and similar conditions in humans, in which behavior incompatible with a habitual undesirable pattern is induced. Compare with decondition ( sense 2 ).

counterculture

coun ter cul ture |ˈkountərˌkəlCHər ˈkaʊn (t )ərˌkəltʃər | ▶noun a way of life and set of attitudes opposed to or at variance with the prevailing social norm: the idealists of the 60s counterculture.

countercurrent

coun ter cur rent ▶noun |ˈkountərˌkərənt ˈkaʊntərˌkərənt |a current flowing in an opposite direction to another. ▶adverb |ˌkountərˈkərənt ˌkaʊntərˈkərənt |in or with opposite directions of flow.

counterdemonstration

coun ter dem on stra tion |ˈkountərˌdemənˈstrāSHən ˈkaʊntərˌdɛmənˈstreɪʃən | ▶noun a public demonstration organized in order to express opposition to the aims of another demonstration: an effort by right-wing elements to organize a counterdemonstration failed.

counterespionage

coun ter es pi o nage |ˌkountərˈespēəˌnäZH, -ˌnäj ˌkaʊntərˈɛspiənɑʒ | ▶noun activities designed to prevent or thwart spying by an enemy.

counterfactual

coun ter fac tu al |ˌkountərˈfakCHo͞oəl ˌkaʊn (t )ərˈfæk (t )ʃ (əw )əl |Philosophy ▶adjective relating to or expressing what has not happened or is not the case. ▶noun a counterfactual conditional statement (e.g., If kangaroos had no tails, they would topple over ).

counterfeit

coun ter feit |ˈkountərˌfit ˈkaʊn (t )ərˌfɪt | ▶adjective made in exact imitation of something valuable or important with the intention to deceive or defraud: two men were remanded on bail on a charge of passing counterfeit $10 bills. • pretended; sham: a counterfeit image of reality. ▶noun a fraudulent imitation of something else; a forgery: he knew the tapes to be counterfeits. ▶verb [ with obj. ] imitate fraudulently: my signature is extremely hard to counterfeit. • pretend to feel or possess (an emotion or quality ): no pretense could have counterfeited such terror. • literary resemble closely: sleep counterfeited Death so well. DERIVATIVES coun ter feit er noun ORIGIN Middle English (as a verb ): from Anglo-Norman French countrefeter, from Old French contrefait, past participle of contrefaire, from Latin contra- ‘in opposition ’ + facere ‘make. ’

counterfoil

coun ter foil |ˈkountərˌfoil ˈkaʊn (t )ərˌfɔɪl | ▶noun chiefly Brit. the part of a check, receipt, ticket, or other document that is torn off and kept as a record by the person issuing it.

counterinsurgency

coun ter in sur gen cy |ˌkountərinˈsərjənsē ˌkaʊntərɪnˈsərʤənsi | ▶noun [ usu. as modifier ] military or political action taken against the activities of guerrillas or revolutionaries: a counterinsurgency force.

counterintelligence

coun ter in tel li gence |ˌkountərinˈteləjəns ˌkaʊntərɪnˈtɛləʤəns | ▶noun activities designed to prevent or thwart spying, intelligence gathering, and sabotage by an enemy or other foreign entity.

counterintuitive

coun ter in tu i tive |ˌkountərinˈt (y )o͞oitiv ˌkaʊntərɪnˈt (j )uɪtɪv | ▶adjective contrary to intuition or to common-sense expectation (but often nevertheless true ). DERIVATIVES coun ter in tu i tive ly adverb

counterirritant

coun ter ir ri tant |ˌkountərˈiritənt ˌkaʊntərˈɪrədənt | ▶noun something such as heat or an ointment that is used to produce surface irritation of the skin, thereby counteracting underlying pain or discomfort. DERIVATIVES coun ter ir ri ta tion |-ˌiriˈtāSHən |noun

counter-jumper

counter-jumper ▶noun informal, derogatory a shop assistant.

countermand

coun ter mand |ˌkountərˈmand, ˈkountərˌmand ˈkaʊn (t )ərˌmænd | ▶verb [ with obj. ] revoke (an order ): an order to arrest the strike leaders had been countermanded. • revoke an order issued by (another person ): he was already countermanding her. • declare (a vote or election ) invalid. the election commission has countermanded voting on the grounds of intimidation. ▶noun an order revoking a previous one. I forthwith mounted, and went off, lest I should receive a countermand. ORIGIN late Middle English: from Old French contremander (verb ), contremand (noun ), from medieval Latin contramandare, from contra- ‘against ’ + mandare ‘to order. ’

countermarch

coun ter march |ˈkountərˌmärCH ˈkaʊn (t )ərˌmɑrtʃ | ▶verb [ no obj. ] march in the opposite direction or back along the same route. ▶noun an act or instance of marching in this way.

countermark

coun ter mark |ˈkountərˌmärk ˈkaʊntərmɑrk | ▶noun chiefly Brit. an additional mark placed on something already marked, typically for increased security. • a second watermark.

countermeasure

coun ter meas ure |ˈkountərˌmeZHər ˈkaʊn (t )ərˌmɛʒər | ▶noun an action taken to counteract a danger or threat.

countermelody

coun ter mel o dy |ˈkountərˌmelədē ˌkaʊntərˈmɛlədi | ▶noun ( pl. countermelodies ) a subordinate melody accompanying a principal one.

countermine

coun ter mine |ˈkountərˌmīn ˈkaʊntərmaɪn |Military ▶noun an excavation dug to intercept another dug by an enemy. ▶verb [ with obj. ] dig a countermine against.

countermove

coun ter move |ˈkountərˌmo͞ov ˈkaʊntərmuv | ▶noun a move or other action made in opposition to another. DERIVATIVES coun ter move ment noun

counternarcotics

coun ter nar cot ics |ˈkountərˌnärˈkätiks ˈkaʊntərˌnɑrˈkɑtɪks | ▶noun measures or activities designed to prevent the use or distrubution of iillegal narcotic drugs. the US is spending over $800m a year on counternarcotics. [ as modifier ] : he was in charge of CIA counternarcotics operations in the Golden Triangle area.

counteroffensive

coun ter of fen sive |ˈkountərəˌfensiv ˈkaʊn (t )ərəˌfɛnsɪv | ▶noun an attack made in response to one from an enemy, typically on a large scale or for a prolonged period.

counteroffer

coun ter of fer |ˈkountərˌôfər, -ˌäfər ˈkaʊntərɔfər | ▶noun an offer made in response to another.

counterpane

coun ter pane |ˈkountərˌpān ˈkaʊn (t )ərˌpeɪn | ▶noun dated a bedspread. ORIGIN early 17th cent.: alteration of counterpoint, from Old French contrepointe, based on medieval Latin culcitra puncta ‘quilted mattress ’ ( puncta, literally meaning ‘pricked, ’ from the verb pungere ). The change in the ending was due to association with pane in an obsolete sense ‘cloth. ’

counterpart

coun ter part |ˈkountərˌpärt ˈkaʊn (t )ərˌpɑrt | ▶noun 1 a person or thing holding a position or performing a function that corresponds to that of another person or thing in another place: the minister held talks with his French counterpart. 2 Law one of two or more copies of a legal document.

counterpart fund

coun ¦ter |part fund ▶noun a sum of money accrued in a local currency arising from goods or services received from abroad.

counterparty

coun ¦ter |party ▶noun an opposite party in a contract or financial transaction.

counterplot

coun ter plot |ˈkountərˌplät ˈkaʊntərplɑt | ▶noun a plot intended to thwart another plot. ▶verb ( counterplots, counterplotting, counterplotted ) [ no obj. ] devise a counterplot.

counterpoint

coun ter point |ˈkountərˌpoint ˈkaʊn (t )ərˌpɔɪnt | ▶noun 1 Music the art or technique of setting, writing, or playing a melody or melodies in conjunction with another, according to fixed rules. • a melody played in conjunction with another. 2 an argument, idea, or theme used to create a contrast with the main element: I have used my interviews with parents as a counterpoint to a professional judgment. ▶verb [ with obj. ] 1 Music add counterpoint to (a melody ): the orchestra counterpoints the vocal part. 2 emphasize by contrast: the cream walls and maple floors are counterpointed by black accents. • compensate for: the story's fanciful excesses are counterpointed with some sharp and unsentimental dialogue. ORIGIN late Middle English: from Old French contrepoint, from medieval Latin contrapunctum ‘(song ) pricked or marked over against (the original melody ),’ from contra- ‘against ’ + punctum, from pungere ‘to prick. ’

counterpoise

coun ter poise |ˈkountərˌpoiz ˈkaʊntərpɔɪz | ▶noun a factor, force, or influence that balances or neutralizes another: they see the power of Brussels as a counterpoise to that of London. money is a good counterpoise to beauty. • a counterbalancing weight. • a state of equilibrium. ▶verb [ with obj. ] have an opposing and balancing effect on: excess on one hand is counterpoised by fundamental lack on the other. • bring into contrast: the stories counterpoise a young recruit with an old-timer. ORIGIN late Middle English: from Old French contrepois, from contre ‘against ’ + pois from Latin pensum ‘weight. ’ Compare with poise 1. The verb, originally counterpeise, from Old French contrepeser, was altered under the influence of the noun in the 16th cent.

counterpose

coun ter pose |ˌkountərˈpōz ˈkaʊntərpoʊz | ▶verb [ with obj. ] set against or in opposition to. DERIVATIVES coun ter po si tion |-pəˈziSHən |noun

counterproductive

coun ter pro duc tive |ˌkountərprəˈdəktiv ˈˌkaʊn (t )ərprəˈdəktɪv | ▶adjective having the opposite of the desired effect: the response to the disaster was unsuccessful and perhaps even counterproductive.

counterproliferation

coun ter pro lif er a tion |kountərprəˌlifəˈrāSHən kaʊntərprəˌlɪfəˈreɪʃən | ▶noun action intended to prevent an increase or spread in the possession of nuclear weapons.

counterproposal

coun ter pro pos al |ˈkountərprəˈpōzəl ˌkaʊntərprəˈpoʊzəl | ▶noun an alternative proposal made in response to a previous proposal that is regarded as unacceptable or unsatisfactory: the union rejected the airline's counterproposal.

counterpunch

coun ter punch |ˈkountərˌpənCH ˈkaʊn (t )ərˌpəntʃ |Boxing ▶noun a punch thrown in return for one received. ▶verb [ no obj. ] throw a counterpunch. DERIVATIVES coun ter punch er noun

Counter-Reformation

Coun ter-Ref or ma tion the reform of the Church of Rome in the 16th and 17th centuries that was stimulated by the Protestant Reformation. Measures to oppose the spread of the Reformation were decided on at the Council of Trent (1545 –63 ), and the Jesuit order became the spearhead of the Counter-Reformation, both within Europe and abroad. Although most of northern Europe remained Protestant, southern Germany and Poland were brought back to the Roman Catholic Church.

counterrevolution

coun ter rev o lu tion |ˌkountərˌrevəˈlo͞oSHən ˌkaʊntərˌrɛvəˈluʃən | ▶noun a revolution opposing a former one or reversing its results. DERIVATIVES coun ter rev o lu tion ar y |-ˌnerē |adjective & noun

counterrotate

coun ter ro tate |ˌkountərˈrōˌtāt ˌkaʊntərˈroʊteɪt | ▶verb [ no obj. ] rotate in opposite directions, esp. about the same axis. DERIVATIVES coun ter ro ta tion |-rōˈtāSHən |noun

counterscarp

coun ter scarp |ˈkountərˌskärp ˈkaʊntərskɑrp | ▶noun the outer wall of a ditch in a fortification. Compare with scarp. ORIGIN late 16th cent.: from French contrescarpe, from Italian controscarpa; compare with scarp .

countershading

coun ter shad ing |ˈkountərˌSHādiNG ˈkaʊntərˌʃeɪdɪŋ | ▶noun Zoology protective coloration of some animals in which parts normally in shadow are light and those exposed to the sky are dark. DERIVATIVES coun ter shad ed |-ˌSHādid |adjective

countershaft

coun ter shaft |ˈkountərˌSHaft ˈkaʊn (t )ərˌʃæft | ▶noun a machine driveshaft that transmits motion from the main shaft to where it is required, such as the drive axle in a vehicle.

countersign

coun ter sign |ˈkountərˌsīn ˈkaʊn (t )ərˌsaɪn | ▶verb [ with obj. ] add a signature to (a document already signed by another person ): each check had to be signed and countersigned. ▶noun archaic a signal or password given in reply to a soldier on guard. DERIVATIVES coun ter sig na ture |ˌkountərˈsignəCHər, -ˌCHo͝or |noun ORIGIN late 16th cent. (as a noun ): from French contresigner (verb ), contresigne (noun ), from Italian contrassegno, based on Latin signum ‘sign. ’

countersink

coun ter sink |ˈkountərˌsiNGk ˈkaʊntərsɪŋk | ▶verb ( past and past participle countersunk |-ˌsəNGk | ) [ with obj. ] enlarge and bevel the rim of (a drilled hole ) so that a screw, nail, or bolt can be inserted flush with the surface. • drive (a screw, nail, or bolt ) into such a hole.

counterspy

coun ter spy |ˈkountərˌspī ˈkaʊntərspaɪ | ▶noun ( pl. counterspies ) a spy engaged in counterespionage.

counterstain

coun ter stain |ˈkountərˌstān ˈkaʊntərsteɪn |Biology ▶noun an additional dye used in a microscopy specimen to produce a contrasting background or to make clearer the distinction between different kinds of tissue. ▶verb [ with obj. ] treat (a specimen ) with a counterstain.

counterstory

coun ter sto ry |ˈkountərˌstôrē ˈkaʊntərstɔri | ▶noun an alternative or opposing narrative or explanation.

counterstroke

coun ¦ter |stroke |ˈkaʊntəstrəʊk | ▶noun an attack carried out in retaliation.

countersubject

coun ter sub ject |ˈkountərˌsəbjikt, -ˌjekt ˈkaʊntərsʌbɪkt | ▶noun Music a second or subsidiary subject, esp. accompanying the subject or its answer in a fugue.

countertenor

coun ter ten or |ˈkountərˌtenər ˈkaʊntərtɛnər | ▶noun Music the highest male adult singing voice (sometimes distinguished from the male alto voice by its strong, pure tone ). • a singer with such a voice. ORIGIN late Middle English: from French contre-teneur, from obsolete Italian contratenore, based on Latin tenor (see tenor 1 ). Compare with contralto .

counterterrorism

coun ter ter ror ism |ˌkountərˈterəˌrizəm ˌkaʊntərˈtɛrərɪzəm | ▶noun political or military activities designed to prevent or thwart terrorism. DERIVATIVES coun ter ter ror ist |ˌkountərˈterərist |noun & adjective

countertop

coun ter top |ˈkountərˌtäp ˈkaʊntərtɑːp | ▶noun a flat surface for working on, esp. in a kitchen.

countertrade

coun ter trade |ˈkountərˌtrād ˈkaʊntərtreɪd | ▶noun international trade by exchange of goods rather than by currency purchase.

countertransference

coun ter trans fer ence |ˌkountərˌtransˈfərəns, -ˌtranz- ˌkaʊntərˌtrænsˈfərəns | ▶noun Psychoanalysis the emotional reaction of the analyst to the subject's contribution. Compare with transference.

countervail

coun ter vail |ˌkountərˈvāl ˈkaʊntərveɪl | ▶verb [ with obj. ] (usu. as adj. countervailing ) offset the effect of (something ) by countering it with something of equal force: the dominance of the party was mediated by a number of countervailing factors. ORIGIN late Middle English (in the sense ‘be equivalent to in value, compensate for ’): from Anglo-Norman French contrevaloir, from Latin contra valere ‘be of worth against. ’

countervailing duty

coun ter vail ing du ty ▶noun an import tax imposed on certain goods in order to prevent dumping or counter export subsidies.

countervalue

coun ¦ter |value |ˈkaʊntəvaljuː | ▶noun Brit. an equivalent or equal, especially in military strategy: [ as modifier ] : countervalue weapons.

counterweight

coun ter weight |ˈkountərˌwāt ˈkaʊn (t )ərˌweɪt | ▶noun another term for counterbalance.

countess

count ess |ˈkountəs ˈkaʊntəs | ▶noun the wife or widow of a count or earl. • a woman holding the rank of count or earl in her own right. ORIGIN Middle English: from Old French contesse, from late Latin comitissa, feminine of comes (see count 2 ).

countian

coun ti an |ˈkountēən ˈkaʊntiən | ▶noun an inhabitant of a particular county: a Sussex Countian.

counting

count ing |ˈkountiNG ˈkaʊntɪŋ | ▶preposition taking account of when reaching a total; including: there were three of us in the family, or four counting my pet rabbit | the college had 139 employees, not counting those engaged in routine clerical work.

countinghouse

count ing house |ˈkountiNGˌhous ˈkaʊntɪŋhaʊs | ▶noun historical an office or building in which the accounts and money of a person or company were kept.

countless

count less |ˈkountləs ˈkaʊntləs | ▶adjective too many to be counted; very many: she'd apologized countless times before.

count noun

count noun |kaʊnt naʊn | ▶noun Grammar a noun that can form a plural and, in the singular, can be used with the indefinite article (e.g., books, a book ). Contrasted with mass noun.

count palatine

count pal a tine ▶noun ( pl. counts palatine ) historical a feudal lord having royal authority within a region of a kingdom. • a high official of the Holy Roman Empire with royal authority within his domain. ORIGIN see palatine 1 .

countrified

coun tri fied |ˈkəntriˌfīd ˈkəntriˌfaɪd |(also countryfied ) ▶adjective reminiscent or characteristic of the country, esp. in being unsophisticated: a countrified cottage garden | her tweeds were far too countrified. ORIGIN mid 17th cent.: past participle of countrify ‘make rural. ’

country

coun try |ˈkəntrē ˈkəntri | ▶noun ( pl. countries ) 1 a nation with its own government, occupying a particular territory: the country's increasingly precarious economic position. • (the country ) the people of a nation: the whole country took to the streets. 2 (often the country ) districts and small settlements outside large towns, cities, or the capital: the airfield is right out in the country | [ as modifier ] : a country lane. 3 an area or region with regard to its physical features: a tract of wild country. • a region associated with a particular person, esp. a writer, or with a particular work: Steinbeck country includes the Monterey Peninsula. 4 short for country music. PHRASES across country not keeping to roads: their route was across country, through fields of corn. ORIGIN Middle English: from Old French cuntree, from medieval Latin contrata (terra )‘(land ) lying opposite, ’ from Latin contra ‘against, opposite. ’

country and western

coun try and west ern |ˈˌkəntri n ˈwɛstərn | ▶noun another term for country music: [ as modifier ] : country-and-western singer.

country blues

coun try blues ▶noun a simple form of blues in which the singer is accompanied by an acoustic guitar.

country club

coun try club |ˈkəntri ˌkləb | ▶noun a club with sporting and social facilities, set in a suburban area.

country cousin

coun try cous in |ˈkəntri ˈkəzən | ▶noun a person with an unsophisticated and provincial appearance or manners.

country dance

coun try dance |ˈkəntri dæns | ▶noun a traditional type of social English dance, in particular one performed by couples facing each other in long lines.

countryfied

coun try fied ▶adjective variant spelling of countrified.

country-fried

coun try-fried ▶adjective (of an item of food ) covered in batter, flour, or breadcrumbs and fried: country-fried steak. • informal rural or unsophisticated: country-fried tunes.

country gentleman

coun try gen tle man ▶noun chiefly Brit. a rich man of good social standing who owns and lives on an estate in a rural area.

country ham

coun try ham ▶noun a ham that is dry-cured with salt before smoking.

country house

coun try house |ˈkəntri ˌhaʊs | ▶noun chiefly Brit. a large house in the country, typically the home of a wealthy or aristocratic family.

countrymade

coun ¦try |made |ˈkʌntrimeɪd | ▶adjective Indian (especially of a weapon ) manufactured by an illegal cottage industry.

countryman

coun try man |ˈkəntrēmən ˈkəntrimən | ▶noun ( pl. countrymen ) 1 Brit. a person living or born in a rural area, esp. one engaged in a typically rural occupation. 2 a person from the same country or region as someone else: she followed in the tradition of her countrymen | they trust a fellow countryman.

country mile

coun try mile ▶noun informal a very long way: he hit the ball a country mile.

country music

coun try mu sic |ˌkəntri ˈmjuzɪk | ▶noun a form of popular music originating in the rural southern US. It is traditionally a mixture of ballads and dance tunes played characteristically on fiddle, guitar, steel guitar, drums, and keyboard. Also called country and western.

country party

coun |try party ▶noun historical a political party supporting agricultural rather than manufacturing interests.

countrypolitan

coun try pol i tan |ˌkəntriˈpälitn ˌkəntriˈpɑlətn | ▶noun a type of country music that resembles pop music, usually characterized by orchestrated arrangements: [ usu. as modifier ] : a slick countrypolitan ballad. ▶adjective relating to or denoting an architectural style that combines country charm with sophistication. ORIGIN on the pattern of cosmopolitan .

country rock

coun try rock 1 ▶noun Geology the rock that encloses a mineral deposit, igneous intrusion, or other feature.

country rock

coun try rock 2 ▶noun a type of popular music that is a blend of rock and country music.

country seat

coun try seat |ˈkəntri sit | ▶noun Brit. a large country house and estate belonging to an aristocratic family.

countryside

coun try side |ˈkəntrēˌsīd ˈkəntriˌsaɪd | ▶noun the land and scenery of a rural area: they explored the surrounding countryside. • the inhabitants of such an area: the political influence of the countryside remains strong.

countrywide

coun try wide |ˈkəntrēˈwīd ˌkəntriˌwaɪd | ▶adjective & adverb extending throughout a nation: [ as adj. ] : a countrywide tour | [ as adv. ] : traveling countrywide.

countrywoman

coun try wom an |ˈkəntrēˌwo͝omən ˈkəntriˌwʊmən | ▶noun ( pl. countrywomen ) 1 a woman living or born in a rural area, esp. one engaged in a typically rural occupation. 2 a woman from the same country or district as someone else: a fellow countrywoman from Ohio.

county

coun ty |ˈkountē ˈkaʊn (t )i | ▶noun ( pl. counties ) (in the US ) a political and administrative division of a state, providing certain local governmental services. • a territorial division of some countries, forming the chief unit of local administration. DERIVATIVES coun ty wide adjective & adverb ORIGIN Middle English: from Old French conte, from Latin comitatus, from comes, comit- (see count 2 ). The word seems earliest to have denoted a meeting held periodically to transact the business of a shire.

county borough

coun ty bor ough ▶noun (in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland ) a large town formerly having the administrative status of a county.

county clerk

coun ty clerk ▶noun (in the US ) an elected county official who is responsible for local elections and maintaining public records.

county corporate

county cor |por |ate ▶noun Brit. historical a city or town ranking as an administrative county.

county council

county coun |cil ▶noun (in the UK ) the elected governing body of an administrative county. DERIVATIVES county councillor noun

county court

coun ty court |ˈkaʊn (t )i kɔrt | ▶noun a court in some states with civil and criminal jurisdiction for a given county.

county cricket

coun ty crick et ▶noun first-class cricket played in the UK between the eighteen professional teams contesting the County Championship.

County Palatine

Coun ty Pal a tine historical (in England and Ireland ) a county in which royal privileges and exclusive rights of jurisdiction were held by its earl or lord. ORIGIN see palatine 1 .

county school

county school |kaʊntiˈskuːl | ▶noun (in the UK ) a school that is established and funded by the local education authority.

county seat

coun ty seat |kaʊntiˈsiːt | ▶noun the town that is the governmental center of a county.

Oxford Dictionary

count

count 1 |kaʊnt | ▶verb 1 [ with obj. ] determine the total number of (a collection of items ): I started to count the stars I could see | they counted up their change. • [ no obj. ] recite numbers in ascending order: hold the position as you count to five. • [ no obj. ] (count down ) recite or display numbers backwards to zero to indicate the time remaining before the launch of a rocket or the start of an operation. • [ no obj. ] (count down ) prepare for a significant event in the short time remaining before it: with more orders expected, the company is counting down to a bumper Christmas. 2 [ with obj. ] take into account; include: the staff has shrunk to four, or five if you count the European director. • regard or be regarded as possessing a specified quality or fulfilling a specified role: she met some rebuffs from people she had counted as her friends | [ with obj. and complement ] : I count myself fortunate to have known him | [ no obj. ] : results which are consistent with all models cannot count as evidence for any of them. 3 [ no obj. ] be significant: it did not matter what the audience thought —it was the critics that counted. • (of a factor ) play a part in influencing opinion for or against someone or something: he hopes his sporting attitude will count in his favour . • (count for ) be worth (a specified amount ): he has no power base and his views count for little. • (count towards ) be included in an assessment of (a final result or amount ): reduced rate contributions do not count towards your pension. 4 [ no obj. ] (count on /upon ) rely on: whatever you're doing, you can count on me. ▶noun 1 an act of determining the total number of something: at the last count, fifteen applications were still outstanding | the party's only candidate was eliminated at the first count. • the total determined by counting: there was a moderate increase in the white cell count in both patients. 2 an act of reciting numbers in ascending order, up to the specified number: hold the position for a count of seven. • an act of reciting numbers up to ten by the referee when a boxer is knocked down, the boxer being considered knocked out if still down when ten is reached. 3 a point for discussion or consideration: the programme remained vulnerable on a number of counts. • Law a separate charge in an indictment: he pleaded guilty to five counts of murder. 4 the measure of the fineness of a yarn expressed as the weight of a given length or the length of a given weight. • a measure of the fineness of a woven fabric expressed as the number of warp or weft threads in a given length. PHRASES —— and counting used to say that a figure is constantly increasing: nearly seven years later (and counting ), Hackett remains undefeated. beat the count (of a boxer who has been knocked down ) get up before the referee counts to ten. count one's blessings be grateful for what one has. count the cost experience the adverse consequences of something, typically a foolish action. count the days (or hours ) be impatient for time to pass: they counted the days until they came home on leave. count something on the fingers of one hand used to emphasize the small number of a particular thing: you can count the exceptions on the fingers of one hand. count the pennies see penny. count sheep see sheep. don't count your chickens before they're hatched proverb don't be too confident in anticipating success or good fortune before it is certain. keep count (or a count ) take note of the number or amount of something: you can protect yourself by keeping a count of what you drink. lose count forget how many of something there are, especially because the number is so high: I've lost count of the hundreds of miles I've covered. out (or N. Amer. also down ) for the count Boxing defeated by being knocked to the ground and unable to rise within ten seconds. • unconscious or soundly asleep. take the count Boxing be knocked out. PHRASAL VERBS count someone in informal include someone in an activity or the plans for it: if the project gets started, count me in. count someone out 1 complete a count of ten seconds over a fallen boxer to indicate defeat. 2 not include someone in an activity: if this is a guessing game you can count me out. 3 (in children's games ) select a player for dismissal or a special role by using a counting rhyme. count something out 1 take items one by one from a stock of something, especially money, keeping a note of how many one takes: opening the wallet I counted out 19 dollars. 2 Brit. procure the adjournment of the House of Commons when fewer than 40 members are present. ORIGIN Middle English (as a noun ): from Old French counte (noun ), counter (verb ), from the verb computare ‘calculate ’ (see compute ).

count

count 2 |kaʊnt | ▶noun a foreign nobleman whose rank corresponds to that of an earl. DERIVATIVES countship noun ORIGIN late Middle English: from Old French conte, from Latin comes, comit- ‘companion, overseer, attendant ’ (in late Latin ‘person holding a state office ’), from com- ‘together with ’ + it- ‘gone ’ (from the verb ire ‘go ’).

countable

count |able |ˈkaʊntəb (ə )l | ▶adjective able to be counted. DERIVATIVES countably adverb

countable noun

count |able noun ▶noun another term for count noun.

countback

count |back |ˈkaʊntbak | ▶noun a method of deciding the winner of a tied game or competition by awarding it to the contestant with the better score in the later part.

countdown

count |down |ˈkaʊntdaʊn | ▶noun an act of counting numerals in reverse order to zero, especially before the launching of a rocket or missile: the missiles' launch crews would begin their final countdown. • the period of time leading up to a significant event and the procedures carried out during this time: the countdown to your holiday. • a digital display that counts down.

countenance

countenance |ˈkaʊnt (ə )nəns, -tɪn -| ▶noun 1 a person's face or facial expression: his impenetrable eyes and inscrutable countenance give little away. 2 [ mass noun ] support or approval: she was giving her specific countenance to the occasion. ▶verb [ with obj. ] admit as acceptable or possible: he was reluctant to countenance the use of force. PHRASES keep one's countenance maintain one's composure, especially by refraining from laughter. keep someone in countenance help someone to remain calm and confident. out of countenance disconcerted or unpleasantly surprised. ORIGIN Middle English: from Old French contenance ‘bearing, behaviour ’, from contenir (see contain ). The early sense was ‘bearing, demeanour ’, also ‘facial expression ’, hence ‘the face ’.

counter

counter 1 |ˈkaʊntə | ▶noun 1 a long flat-topped fitment across which business is conducted in a shop or bank or refreshments are served in a cafeteria. • N. Amer. a worktop. 2 a small disc used in board games for keeping the score or as a place marker. • a token representing a coin. • a factor used to give one party an advantage in negotiations: the proposal has become a crucial bargaining counter over prices. 3 a device used for counting: the counter tells you how many pictures you have taken. • a person who counts something, for example votes in an election. • Physics an apparatus used for counting individual ionizing particles or events. PHRASES behind the counter serving in a shop or bank. over the counter by ordinary retail purchase, with no need for a prescription or licence: [ as modifier ] : over-the-counter medicines. • (of share transactions ) taking place outside the stock exchange system. under the counter (or table ) (with reference to goods bought or sold ) surreptitiously and typically illegally: hard porn is legally banned, but still available under the counter | [ as modifier ] : an under-the-counter deal. ORIGIN Middle English (in sense 2 ): from Old French conteor, from medieval Latin computatorium, from Latin computare (see compute ).

counter

counter 2 |ˈkaʊntə | ▶verb [ with obj. ] speak or act in opposition to: the second argument is more difficult to counter. • [ no obj. ] respond to hostile speech or action: the possibility of the enemy being able to counter with similar missiles was remote. • [ no obj. ] Boxing give a return blow while parrying: he countered with a left hook. ▶adverb (counter to ) in the opposite direction or in opposition to: his writing ran counter to the dominant trends of the decade. ▶adjective responding to something of the same kind, especially in opposition: after years of argument and counter argument there is no conclusive answer. See also counter-. ▶noun 1 [ usu. in sing. ] a thing which opposes or prevents something else: the stimulus to employers' organization was partly a counter to growing union power. • an answer to an argument or criticism: he anticipates an objection and plans his counter. • Boxing a blow given while parrying; a counterpunch. 2 the curved part of the stern of a ship projecting aft above the waterline. 3 Printing the white space enclosed by a letter such as O or c. PHRASES go (or Brit. hunt or run ) counter run or ride against the direction taken by a quarry. ORIGIN late Middle English: from Old French contre, from Latin contra ‘against ’, or directly from counter- .

counter

counter 3 |ˈkaʊntə | ▶noun the back part of a shoe or boot, enclosing the heel. ORIGIN mid 19th cent.: abbreviation of counterfort ‘buttress ’, from French contrefort .

counter-

counter- |ˈkaʊntə | ▶prefix denoting opposition, retaliation, or rivalry: counter-attack | counter-espionage. • denoting movement or effect in the opposite direction: counterpoise. • denoting correspondence, duplication, or substitution: counterpart. ORIGIN from Anglo-Norman French countre-, Old French contre, from Latin contra ‘against ’.

counteract

coun ¦ter |act |kaʊntərˈakt | ▶verb [ with obj. ] act against (something ) in order to reduce its force or neutralize it: should we deliberately intervene in the climate system to counteract global warming? DERIVATIVES counteraction noun, counteractive adjective

counterargument

counterargument |ˈkaʊntəˌɑːgjʊm (ə )nt | ▶noun an argument or set of reasons put forward to oppose an idea or theory developed in another argument: the obvious counterargument to that dire prediction is that the recession has depressed earnings.

counter-attack

counter-attack ▶noun an attack made in response to one by an opponent. ▶verb [ no obj. ] attack in response: as deputies tried to dislodge him, he counter-attacked by forcing through elections. DERIVATIVES counter-attacker noun

counter-attraction

counter-attrac ¦tion |ˈkaʊnt (ə )rətrakʃ (ə )n | ▶noun a rival attraction: it is a pity that this book may not triumph over the counter-attractions on the booksellers' shelves.

counterbalance

coun ¦ter |bal ¦ance ▶noun |ˈkaʊntəˌbal (ə )ns |a weight that balances another weight. • a factor having the opposite effect to that of another and so preventing it from exercising a disproportionate influence: his restoration to power was intended as a counterbalance to his rival's influence. ▶verb |ˌkaʊntəˈbal (ə )ns | [ with obj. ] (of a weight ) balance (another weight ). • neutralize or cancel by exerting an opposite influence: the extra cost of mail order may be counterbalanced by its convenience.

counterblast

coun ¦ter |blast |ˈkaʊntəblɑːst | ▶noun a strongly worded reply to someone else's views: a counterblast to the growing propaganda of the Left.

counterblow

coun ter blow |ˈkountərˌblō ˈkaʊntərbloʊ | ▶noun a blow given in return.

counterbore

coun ¦ter |bore |ˈkaʊntəbɔː | ▶noun a drilled hole that has a wider section at the top. • a drill whose bit has a uniform smaller diameter near the tip, for drilling counterbores in one operation. ▶verb [ with obj. ] drill a counterbore in (an object ).

counterchange

coun ¦ter |change |ˈkaʊntətʃeɪn (d )ʒ | ▶verb [ with obj. ] literary chequer with contrasting colours. • Heraldry interchange the tinctures of (a charge ) with that of a divided field. ▶noun [ mass noun ] 1 change that is equivalent in degree but opposite in effect to a previous change. 2 patterning in which a dark motif on a light ground alternates with the same motif light on a dark ground. ORIGIN late Middle English (as a heraldic term ): from French contrechanger, from contre (expressing substitution ) + changer ‘to change ’.

countercharge

coun ¦ter |charge |ˈkaʊntətʃɑːdʒ | ▶noun 1 an accusation made in turn by someone against their accuser: charges and countercharges concerning producers, quotas, and affidavits. 2 a charge by police or an armed force in response to one made against them.

countercheck

coun ¦ter |check |ˈkaʊntətʃɛk | ▶noun 1 a second check for security or accuracy. 2 archaic a restraint. 3 archaic a sharp or incisive retort. ▶verb [ with obj. ] archaic stop (something ) by acting to cancel or counteract it.

counterclaim

coun ¦ter |claim |ˈkaʊntəkleɪm | ▶noun a claim made to rebut a previous claim. • Law a claim made by a defendant against a plaintiff. ▶verb [ no obj. ] chiefly Law make a counterclaim for something.

counterclockwise

coun ¦ter |clock ¦wise |kaʊntəˈklɒkwʌɪz | ▶adverb & adjective North American term for anticlockwise.

counter-conditioning

counter-condition ¦ing ▶noun [ mass noun ] a technique employed in animal training and the treatment of phobias and similar conditions in humans, in which behaviour incompatible with a habitual undesirable pattern is induced. Compare with deconditioning.

counterculture

coun ¦ter |cul ¦ture |ˈkaʊntəkʌltʃə | ▶noun a way of life and set of attitudes opposed to or at variance with the prevailing social norm: the idealists of the 60s counterculture. DERIVATIVES countercultural adjective

countercurrent

coun ¦ter |cur ¦rent ▶noun a current flowing in an opposite direction to another. ▶adverb in or with opposite directions of flow.

counterdemonstration

counterdemonstration |ˈkaʊntədɛmənˌstreɪʃ (ə )n | ▶noun a public demonstration organized in order to express opposition to the aims of another demonstration: an effort by right-wing elements to organize a counterdemonstration failed.

counter-espionage

counter-espion ¦age ▶noun [ mass noun ] activities designed to prevent or thwart spying by an enemy.

counterfactual

counterfactual |ˌkaʊntəˈfaktʃʊəl, -tjʊəl |Philosophy ▶adjective relating to or expressing what has not happened or is not the case. ▶noun a counterfactual conditional statement (e.g. If kangaroos had no tails, they would topple over ).

counterfeit

coun ¦ter |feit |ˈkaʊntəfɪt, -fiːt | ▶adjective made in exact imitation of something valuable with the intention to deceive or defraud: counterfeit £10 notes. • pretended; sham: a counterfeit image of reality. ▶noun a fraudulent imitation of something else: he knew the tapes to be counterfeits. ▶verb [ with obj. ] imitate fraudulently: my signature is extremely hard to counterfeit. • pretend to feel or possess (an emotion or quality ): no pretence could have counterfeited such terror. • literary resemble closely: sleep counterfeited Death so well. DERIVATIVES counterfeiter noun ORIGIN Middle English (as a verb ): from Anglo-Norman French countrefeter, from Old French contrefait, past participle of contrefaire, from Latin contra- ‘in opposition ’ + facere ‘make ’.

counterfoil

coun ¦ter |foil |ˈkaʊntəfɔɪl | ▶noun Brit. the part of a cheque, receipt, ticket, or other document that is torn off and kept as a record by the person issuing it.

counter-insurgency

counter-insurgency ▶noun [ mass noun ] military or political action taken against the activities of guerrillas or revolutionaries: [ as modifier ] : a counter-insurgency force.

counter-intelligence

counter-intelli ¦gence ▶noun another term for counter-espionage.

counter-intuitive

counter-intuitive ▶adjective contrary to intuition or to common-sense expectation. DERIVATIVES counter-intuitively adverb

counterirritant

counter-jumper

counter-jumper ▶noun informal, derogatory a shop assistant.

countermand

countermand |ˌkaʊntəˈmɑːnd | ▶verb [ with obj. ] revoke or cancel (an order ): an order to arrest the strike leaders had been countermanded. • revoke or cancel an order issued by (another person ): he was already countermanding her. • declare (a vote or election ) invalid. ▶noun an order revoking a previous one. I forthwith mounted, and went off, lest I should receive a countermand. ORIGIN late Middle English: from Old French contremander (verb ), contremand (noun ), from medieval Latin contramandare, from contra- ‘against ’ + mandare ‘to order ’.

countermarch

coun ¦ter |march |ˈkaʊntəmɑːtʃ | ▶verb [ no obj. ] march in the opposite direction or back along the same route. ▶noun an act or instance of marching in the opposite direction.

countermark

coun ¦ter |mark |ˈkaʊntəmɑːk | ▶noun an additional mark placed on something already marked, especially for increased security. • a second watermark.

countermeasure

coun ¦ter |meas ¦ure |ˈkaʊntəmɛʒə | ▶noun an action taken to counteract a danger or threat.

countermelody

coun ¦ter |mel ¦ody |ˈkaʊntəˌmɛlədi | ▶noun ( pl. countermelodies ) a subordinate melody accompanying a principal one.

countermine

coun ¦ter |mine |ˈkaʊntəmʌɪn | ▶noun Military an excavation dug to intercept another dug by an enemy. ▶verb [ with obj. ] dig a countermine against: (as noun countermining ) : countermining would be impossible given their shortage of gun powder.

countermove

coun ¦ter |move |ˈkaʊntəmuːv | ▶noun a move or other action made in opposition to another. DERIVATIVES countermovement noun

counternarcotics

counternarcotics |ˈkaʊntənɑːˌkɒtiks | ▶plural noun [ treated as sing. ] measures or activities designed to prevent the use or distribution of illegal narcotic drugs. the US is spending over $800m a year on counternarcotics. [ as modifier ] : he was in charge of CIA counternarcotics operations in the Golden Triangle area.

counteroffensive

coun ¦ter |offen ¦sive |ˈkaʊnt (ə )rəfɛnsɪv | ▶noun an attack made in response to one from an enemy, typically on a large scale or for a prolonged period.

counter-offer

counter-offer ▶noun an offer made in response to another.

counterpane

coun ¦ter |pane |ˈkaʊntəpeɪn | ▶noun dated a bedspread. ORIGIN early 17th cent.: alteration of counterpoint, from Old French contrepointe, based on medieval Latin culcitra puncta ‘quilted mattress ’ ( puncta, literally meaning ‘pricked ’, from the verb pungere ). The change in the ending was due to association with pane in an obsolete sense ‘cloth ’.

counterpart

coun ¦ter |part |ˈkaʊntəpɑːt | ▶noun 1 a person or thing that corresponds to or has the same function as another person or thing in a different place or situation: the minister held talks with his French counterpart. 2 Law one of two copies of a legal document.

counterpart fund

coun ¦ter |part fund ▶noun a sum of money accrued in a local currency arising from goods or services received from abroad.

counterparty

coun ¦ter |party ▶noun an opposite party in a contract or financial transaction.

counterplot

coun ¦ter |plot |ˈkaʊntəplɒt | ▶noun a plot intended to thwart another plot. ▶verb ( counterplots, counterplotting, counterplotted ) [ no obj. ] devise a counterplot.

counterpoint

coun ¦ter |point |ˈkaʊntəpɔɪnt | ▶noun 1 [ mass noun ] Music the technique of setting, writing, or playing a melody or melodies in conjunction with another, according to fixed rules. • [ count noun ] a melody played in conjunction with another. 2 a thing that forms a pleasing or notable contrast to something else: the sauce made a piquant counterpoint to the ham. ▶verb [ with obj. ] 1 Music add counterpoint to (a melody ): the orchestra counterpoints the vocal part. 2 emphasize by contrast: the cream walls and maple floors are counterpointed by black accents. • compensate for: the yarn's fanciful excesses are counterpointed with some sharp and unsentimental dialogue. ORIGIN late Middle English: from Old French contrepoint, from medieval Latin contrapunctum ‘(song ) pricked or marked over against (the original melody )’, from contra- ‘against ’ + punctum, from pungere ‘to prick ’.

counterpoise

coun ¦ter |poise |ˈkaʊntəpɔɪz | ▶noun a factor or force that balances or neutralizes another: the organization sees the power of Brussels as a counterpoise to that of London. • a counterbalancing weight. • a state of equilibrium. ▶verb [ with obj. ] have an opposing and balancing effect on: they make a delightful couple, his gentle intellectuality counterpoised by her firm practicality. • bring into contrast: the stories counterpoise a young recruit with an old-timer. ORIGIN late Middle English: from Old French contrepois from contre ‘against ’ + pois from Latin pensum ‘weight ’. Compare with poise 1. The verb, originally counterpeise, from Old French contrepeser, was altered under the influence of the noun in the 16th cent.

counterpose

counterproductive

coun ¦ter |pro ¦duct ¦ive |ˌkaʊntəprəˈdʌktɪv | ▶adjective having the opposite of the desired effect: child experts fear the Executive's plans may prove counterproductive.

counterproliferation

counterproliferation |kaʊntəprəlɪfəˈreɪʃ (ə )n | ▶noun [ mass noun ] action intended to prevent an increase or spread in the possession of nuclear weapons.

counterproposal

counterproposal |ˈkaʊntəprəˌpəʊz (ə )l | ▶noun an alternative proposal made in response to a previous proposal that is regarded as unacceptable or unsatisfactory: the union rejected the airline's counterproposal.

counterpunch

counterpunch |ˈkaʊntəpʌn (t )ʃ |Boxing ▶noun a punch thrown in return for one received. ▶verb [ no obj. ] throw a counterpunch. DERIVATIVES counterpuncher noun

Counter-Reformation

Counter-Reform ¦ation the reform of the Church of Rome in the 16th and 17th centuries which was stimulated by the Protestant Reformation. Measures to oppose the spread of the Reformation were resolved on at the Council of Trent (1545 –63 ) and the Jesuit order became the spearhead of the Counter-Reformation, both within Europe and abroad. Although most of northern Europe remained Protestant, southern Germany and Poland were brought back to the Roman Catholic Church.

counter-revolution

counter-revolu ¦tion ▶noun a revolution opposing a former one or reversing its results. DERIVATIVES counter-revolutionary adjective & noun

counterrotate

coun ¦ter |rotate |kaʊntərəʊˈteɪt | ▶verb [ no obj. ] rotate in opposite directions, especially about the same axis. DERIVATIVES counterrotation noun

counterscarp

coun ¦ter |scarp |ˈkaʊntəskɑːp | ▶noun the outer wall of a ditch in a fortification. ORIGIN late 16th cent.: from French contrescarpe, from Italian controscarpa; compare with scarp .

countershading

coun ¦ter |shad ¦ing |ˈkaʊntəˌʃeɪdɪŋ | ▶noun [ mass noun ] Zoology protective coloration used by some animals in which parts normally in shadow are light and those exposed to the sky are dark. DERIVATIVES countershaded adjective

countershaft

coun ¦ter |shaft |ˈkaʊntəʃɑːft | ▶noun a machine driveshaft that transmits motion from the main shaft to where it is required, such as the drive axle in a vehicle.

countersign

coun ¦ter |sign |ˈkaʊntəsʌɪn | ▶verb [ with obj. ] add a signature to (a document already signed by another person ): each cheque had to be signed and countersigned. ▶noun archaic a signal or password given in reply to a soldier on guard. DERIVATIVES countersignature |-ˈsɪgnətʃə |noun ORIGIN late 16th cent. (as a noun ): from French contresigner (verb ), contresigne (noun ), from Italian contrassegno, based on Latin signum ‘sign ’.

countersink

coun ¦ter |sink |ˈkaʊntəsɪŋk | ▶verb ( past and past participle countersunk ) [ with obj. ] enlarge and bevel the rim of (a drilled hole ) so that a screw, nail, or bolt can be inserted flush with the surface. • drive (a screw, nail, or bolt ) into a countersunk hole.

counterspy

counterspy |ˈkaʊntəspʌɪ | ▶noun ( pl. counterspies ) a spy engaged in counter-espionage.

counterstain

counterstain |ˈkaʊntəˌsteɪn |Biology ▶noun an additional dye used in a microscopy specimen to produce a contrasting background or to make clearer the distinction between different kinds of tissue. ▶verb [ with obj. ] treat (a specimen ) with a counterstain.

counterstory

coun ter sto ry |ˈkountərˌstôrē ˈkaʊntərstɔri | ▶noun an alternative or opposing narrative or explanation.

counterstroke

coun ¦ter |stroke |ˈkaʊntəstrəʊk | ▶noun an attack carried out in retaliation.

countersubject

coun ¦ter |sub ¦ject |ˈkaʊntəˌsʌbdʒɛkt | ▶noun Music a second or subsidiary subject, especially accompanying the subject or its answer in a fugue.

countertenor

coun ¦ter |tenor ▶noun Music the highest male adult singing voice (sometimes distinguished from the male alto voice by its strong, pure tone ). • a singer with a countertenor voice. ORIGIN late Middle English: from French contre-teneur, from obsolete Italian contratenore, based on Latin tenor (see tenor 1 ).

counterterrorism

coun ¦ter |terror |ism |kaʊntəˈtɛrərɪzəm | ▶noun [ mass noun ] political or military activities designed to prevent or thwart terrorism. DERIVATIVES counterterrorist noun

countertop

coun ¦ter |top |ˈkaʊntətɒp | ▶noun North American term for worktop.

countertrade

coun ¦ter |trade ▶noun [ mass noun ] international trade by exchange of goods rather than by currency purchase.

countertransference

counter-transfer ¦ence |kəʊntəˈtransf (ə )r (ə )ns | ▶noun [ mass noun ] Psychoanalysis the emotional reaction of the analyst to the subject's contribution.

countervail

countervail |ˌkaʊntəˈveɪl | ▶verb [ with obj. ] (usu. as adj. countervailing ) offset the effect of (something ) by countering it with something of equal force: the dominance of the party was mediated by a number of countervailing factors. ORIGIN late Middle English (in the sense ‘be equivalent to in value ’): from Anglo-Norman French contrevaloir, from Latin contra valere ‘be of worth against ’.

countervailing duty

coun ¦ter |vail |ing duty ▶noun an import tax imposed on certain goods in order to prevent dumping or counter export subsidies.

countervalue

coun ¦ter |value |ˈkaʊntəvaljuː | ▶noun Brit. an equivalent or equal, especially in military strategy: [ as modifier ] : countervalue weapons.

counterweight

coun ¦ter |weight |ˈkaʊntəweɪt | ▶noun another term for counterbalance.

countess

count |ess |ˈkaʊntɪs | ▶noun the wife or widow of a count or earl. • a woman holding the rank of count or earl in her own right. ORIGIN Middle English: from Old French contesse, from late Latin comitissa, feminine of comes (see count 2 ).

countian

coun |tian |ˈkɑʊntɪən | ▶noun [ with modifier ] chiefly US an inhabitant of a particular county: Sussex countians.

counting

count |ing |ˈkaʊntɪŋ | ▶preposition taking account of when reaching a total; including: there were three of us in the family, or four counting my pet rabbit | the college had 139 employees, not counting those engaged in routine clerical work.

counting house

count |ing house |ˈkaʊntɪŋ | ▶noun historical an office or building in which the accounts and money of a person or company were kept.

countless

count |less |ˈkaʊntlɪs | ▶adjective too many to be counted; very many: she'd apologized countless times before.

count noun

count noun ▶noun Grammar a noun that can form a plural and, in the singular, can be used with the indefinite article (e.g. books, a book ). Contrasted with mass noun.

count palatine

count pala |tine ▶noun ( pl. counts palatine ) historical a feudal lord having royal authority within a region of a kingdom. • a high official of the Holy Roman Empire with royal authority within his domain. ORIGIN see palatine 1 .

countrified

countrified |ˈkʌntrɪfʌɪd |(also countryfied ) ▶adjective reminiscent or characteristic of the country, especially in being unsophisticated: a countrified cottage garden | her tweeds were far too countrified. ORIGIN mid 17th cent.: past participle of countrify ‘make rural ’.

country

coun |try |ˈkʌntri | ▶noun ( pl. countries ) 1 a nation with its own government, occupying a particular territory: the country's increasingly precarious economic position | Spain, Italy, and other European countries. • (the country ) the people of a nation: the whole country took to the streets. 2 (often the country ) districts and small settlements outside large urban areas or the capital: the airfield is right out in the country | [ as modifier ] : a country lane. 3 [ mass noun ] an area or region with regard to its physical features: a tract of wild country. • a region associated with a particular person, work, or television programme: an old mansion in Stevenson's ‘Kidnapped ’ country. 4 short for country music. PHRASES across country not keeping to roads. go (or appeal ) to the country Brit. test public opinion by dissolving Parliament and holding a general election. one's line of country Brit. a subject in which one is skilled or knowledgeable: anagrams are not in my line of country. ORIGIN Middle English: from Old French cuntree, from medieval Latin contrata (terra ) ‘(land ) lying opposite ’, from Latin contra ‘against, opposite ’.

country and western

coun |try and west |ern ▶noun another term for country music.

country blues

coun |try blues ▶noun [ mass noun ] a simple form of blues in which the singer is accompanied by an acoustic guitar.

country club

coun |try club ▶noun a club with sporting and social facilities, set in a rural area.

country cousin

coun |try cousin ▶noun a person with an unsophisticated and provincial appearance or manners.

country dance

coun |try dance ▶noun a traditional type of social English dance, in particular one performed by couples facing each other in long lines.

countryfied

coun ¦try |fied ▶adjective variant of countrified.

country-fried

country-fried ▶adjective N. Amer. (of an item of food ) covered in batter, flour, or breadcrumbs and fried: country-fried steak. • informal rural or unsophisticated: country-fried tunes.

country gentleman

coun |try gentle |man ▶noun a rich man of good social standing who owns and lives on an estate in a rural area.

country ham

coun try ham ▶noun a ham that is dry-cured with salt before smoking.

country house

coun |try house ▶noun Brit. a large house in the country, typically the seat of a wealthy or aristocratic family.

countrymade

coun ¦try |made |ˈkʌntrimeɪd | ▶adjective Indian (especially of a weapon ) manufactured by an illegal cottage industry.

countryman

countryman |ˈkʌntrɪmən |(or countrywoman ) ▶noun ( pl. countrymen or countrywomen ) 1 a person living or born in a rural area. 2 a person from the same country as someone else: they trust a fellow countryman.

country mile

coun |try mile ▶noun informal a very long way: he hit the ball a country mile.

country music

coun |try music ▶noun [ mass noun ] a form of popular music originating in the rural southern US. It is a mixture of ballads and dance tunes played characteristically on fiddle, banjo, guitar, and pedal steel guitar. Also called country and western.

country party

coun |try party ▶noun historical a political party supporting agricultural rather than manufacturing interests.

countrypolitan

country rock

country rock 1 ▶noun [ mass noun ] Geology the rock which encloses a mineral deposit, igneous intrusion, or other feature.

country rock

country rock 2 ▶noun [ mass noun ] a type of popular music that is a blend of rock and country music.

country seat

coun |try seat ▶noun Brit. a large country house and estate belonging to an aristocratic family.

countryside

coun ¦try |side |ˈkʌntrɪsʌɪd | ▶noun [ mass noun ] the land and scenery of a rural area: they explored the surrounding countryside | [ as modifier ] : countryside conservation groups. • the inhabitants of countryside areas: the political influence of the countryside remains strong.

countrywide

coun ¦try |wide |kʌntriˈwʌɪd | ▶adjective & adverb extending throughout a nation: [ as adj. ] : a countrywide tour | [ as adv. ] : these units travel countrywide.

countrywoman

coun ¦try |woman |ˈkʌntriwʊmən | ▶noun see countryman.

county

county |ˈkaʊnti | ▶noun ( pl. counties ) a territorial division of some countries, forming the chief unit of local administration. • Brit. a sporting team playing for a county. • US a political and administrative division of a state. • [ as modifier ] Brit. relating to or characteristic of aristocratic people with an ancestral home in a particular county: a county grande dame. ORIGIN Middle English: from Old French conte, from Latin comitatus, from comes, comit- (see count 2 ). The word seems first to have denoted a periodical meeting held to transact shire business.

county borough

county bor |ough ▶noun (in Wales and formerly in England and Northern Ireland ) a town having the administrative status of a county.

county clerk

county clerk ▶noun (in the US ) an elected county official who is responsible for local elections and maintaining public records.

county corporate

county cor |por |ate ▶noun Brit. historical a city or town ranking as an administrative county.

county council

county coun |cil ▶noun (in the UK ) the elected governing body of an administrative county. DERIVATIVES county councillor noun

county court

county court ▶noun (in England and Wales ) a judicial court for civil cases. • US a court for civil and criminal cases.

county cricket

county cricket ▶noun [ mass noun ] first-class cricket played in the UK between the eighteen professional teams contesting the County Championship.

County Durham

County Dur ¦ham |kaʊntiˈdʌrəm | see Durham 2.

County Palatine

County Palatine historical ▶noun (in England and Ireland ) a county in which royal privileges and exclusive rights of jurisdiction were held by its earl or lord. ORIGIN see palatine 1 .

county school

county school |kaʊntiˈskuːl | ▶noun (in the UK ) a school that is established and funded by the local education authority.

county town

county town (N. Amer. county seat ) ▶noun the town that is the administrative capital of a county.

American Oxford Thesaurus

count

count verb 1 Vern counted the money again: add up, add together, reckon up, total, tally, calculate, compute, tot up; census; formal enumerate; dated cast up. 2 a company with 250 employees, not counting overseas staff: include, take into account, take account of, take into consideration, allow for. 3 I count it a privilege to be asked: consider, think, feel, regard, look on as, view as, hold to be, judge, deem, account. 4 it's your mother's feelings that count: matter, be of consequence, be of account, be significant, signify, be important, carry weight. ▶noun 1 at last count, the committee had 57 members: calculation, computation, reckoning, tally; formal enumeration. 2 her white blood cell count: amount, number, total. PHRASES count on /upon 1 you can count on me: rely on, depend on, bank on, trust (in ), be sure of, have (every ) confidence in, believe in, put one's faith in, take for granted, take as read. 2 they hadn't counted on his indomitable spirit: expect, reckon on, anticipate, envisage, allow for, be prepared for, bargain for /on, figure on. down for the count informal See unconscious (sense 1 of the adjective ).

countenance

countenance noun his strikingly handsome countenance: face, features, physiognomy, profile; (facial ) expression, look, appearance, aspect, mien; informal mug, puss; literary visage, lineaments. ▶verb he would not countenance the use of force: tolerate, permit, allow, agree to, consent to, give one's blessing to, go along with, hold with, put up with, endure, stomach, swallow, stand for; formal brook.

counter

counter 1 noun the sugar is in a canister on the counter: work surface, countertop, work table; bar; checkout (counter ).

counter

counter 2 verb 1 workers countered accusations of dishonesty: respond to, parry, hit back at, answer, retort to. 2 the second argument is more difficult to counter: oppose, dispute, argue against /with, contradict, controvert, negate, counteract; challenge, contest; formal gainsay, confute. ANTONYMS support. ▶adjective a counter bid: opposing, opposed, opposite. PHRASES counter to nearly all of his proposals are counter to our original agreement: against, in opposition to, contrary to, at variance with, in defiance of, in contravention of, in conflict with, at odds with.

counteract

counteract verb 1 new measures to counteract drug trafficking: prevent, thwart, frustrate, foil, impede, curb, hinder, hamper, check, put a stop to, put /bring a end to, defeat. ANTONYMS encourage. 2 a drug to counteract the side effects: offset, counterbalance, balance (out ), cancel out, even out, counterpoise, countervail, compensate for, make up for, remedy; neutralize, nullify, negate, invalidate. ANTONYMS enhance, exacerbate.

counterbalance

counterbalance verb the risk is counterbalanced by the potential high yields: compensate for, make up for, offset, balance (out ), even out, counterpoise, counteract, equalize, neutralize; nullify, negate, undo.

counterfeit

counterfeit adjective counterfeit $100 bills: fake, faked, bogus, forged, imitation, spurious, substitute, ersatz, phony. ANTONYMS genuine. ▶noun the notes were counterfeits: fake, forgery, copy, reproduction, imitation; fraud, sham; informal phony, knockoff. ANTONYMS original. ▶verb 1 his signature was hard to counterfeit: fake, forge, copy, reproduce, imitate. 2 he grew tired of counterfeiting interest: feign, simulate, pretend, fake, sham.

countermand

countermand verb orders were being issued and then countermanded: revoke, rescind, reverse, undo, repeal, retract, withdraw, quash, overturn, overrule, cancel, annul, invalidate, nullify, negate; Law disaffirm, discharge, vacate; formal abrogate. ANTONYMS uphold.

counterpane

counterpane noun dated See bedspread.

counterpart

counterpart noun the minister held talks with his French counterpart: equivalent, opposite number, peer, equal, coequal, parallel, complement, analog, match, twin, mate, fellow, brother, sister; formal compeer.

countless

countless adjective bringing relief to countless patients: innumerable, numerous, untold, a legion of, without number, numberless, unnumbered, limitless, multitudinous, incalculable; informal umpteen, no end of, a slew of, loads of, stacks of, heaps of, masses of, oodles of, zillions of, gazillions of; literary myriad. ANTONYMS few.

countrified

countrified adjective she's traded her uptown apartment for a house in a more countrified setting: rural, rustic, pastoral, bucolic, country; idyllic, unspoiled; literary Arcadian, sylvan, georgic. ANTONYMS urban.

country

country noun 1 foreign countries: nation, (sovereign ) state, kingdom, realm, territory, province, principality, palatinate, duchy. 2 he risked his life for his country: homeland, native land, fatherland, motherland, the land of one's fathers. 3 every election year, these guys claim to know what the country wants: the people, the public, the population, the populace, citizenry, the nation, the body politic; the electors, the voters, the taxpayers, the grass roots; informal John Q. Public, Joe Blow, Joe Schmo. 4 thickly forested country: terrain, land, territory, parts; landscape, scenery, setting, surroundings, environment. 5 she hated living in the country: countryside, greenbelt, great outdoors; rural areas, back. 6 woods, back of beyond, hinterland, bush, backcountry; informal sticks, middle of nowhere, boondocks, boonies; Austral. outback. ▶adjective country pursuits: rural, countryside, outdoor, rustic, pastoral, bucolic; literary sylvan, Arcadian, georgic. ANTONYMS urban.

countryman, countrywoman

countryman, countrywoman noun 1 the traditions of his countrymen: compatriot, fellow citizen. 2 the countryman takes a great interest in the weather: country dweller, country cousin, son /daughter of the soil, farmer; rustic, yokel, (country ) bumpkin, peasant, provincial; informal hayseed, hick, hillbilly, rube; archaic swain.

countryside

countryside noun 1 beautiful unspoiled countryside: landscape, scenery, surroundings, setting, environment; country, terrain, land. 2 I was brought up in the countryside. See country (sense 5 of the noun ).

county

county noun families from neighboring counties: region, province, administrative unit, territory, district, area.

Oxford Thesaurus

count

count verb 1 he was counting a stack of dollar bills: add up, add together, find the sum of, sum up, reckon up, figure up, calculate, compute, enumerate, total, tally, add; Brit. tot up; dated cast up. 2 you do need to be accurate in counting calories: keep a tally of, keep a count of, keep a record of; count up, count off, enumerate, tell, work out. 3 there were seventy people backstage, not counting the actors: include, take into account, take account of, take into consideration, allow for, incorporate. 4 I count it a privilege to be asked to become chairman: consider, think, feel, regard, look on as, view as, see as, hold to be, judge, adjudge, rate as, deem to be, account, esteem. 5 I was made to feel that, because I'm not married, my baby and I don't count: matter, enter into consideration, be of consequence, be of account, be significant, signify, mean anything, mean a lot, amount to anything, rate, be important, be influential, carry weight, weigh, make an impression; informal cut any ice, have any clout. PHRASES count on /upon 1 he could usually be counted on to give lifts: rely on, depend on, place reliance on, lean on, bank on, trust, be sure of, trust in, place one's trust in, have (every ) confidence in, believe in, put one's faith in, pin one's faith on, swear by, take for granted, take on trust, take as read. 2 they hadn't counted on Rangers' indomitable spirit: expect, reckon on, anticipate, envisage, predict, foresee, forecast, foretell, think likely, contemplate the possibility of, allow for, be prepared for, bargain for, bargain on, bank on, plan on, calculate on; N. Amer. informal figure on; archaic apprehend. count someone /something in Marie nodded enthusiastically. ‘Count me in! ’: include, involve, bring in, take in, admit, introduce, add, enter, incorporate; take into account, take account of, take note of, allow for; allow to participate, allow to take part, let someone in on something. count someone /something out I think you'd better count me out: exclude, omit, leave out, rule out, except, reject, drop, eliminate, cut out, keep out; pass over, disregard, ignore. ▶noun 1 at the last count, the committee had 579 members: calculation, enumeration, computation, reckoning, counting, telling, tally, tallying, totting up; poll, census, listing, register. 2 tests showed she had a raised white blood cell count: amount, number, tally, total, total number, sum total, grand total, full amount, aggregate, whole. PHRASES out for the count informal unconscious, comatose, knocked out, inert, insensible, senseless, insensate, insentient; anaesthetized, soundly asleep; informal out, out cold, zonked out, dead to the world, kayoed, KO'd; Brit. informal spark out; rare soporose, soporous.

countenance

countenance noun he had a strikingly handsome and sensitive countenance: face, features, physiognomy, profile; facial expression, expression, look, appearance, aspect, mien; informal mug, clock; Brit. informal mush, dial, phizog, phiz; Brit. rhyming slang boat race; Scottish & Irish informal coupon; N. Amer. informal puss, pan; literary visage, lineaments; archaic front. ▶verb they would not countenance any breach of fair play: tolerate, permit, allow, admit of, approve (of ), agree to, consent to, give one's blessing to, take kindly to, be in favour of, favour, hold with, go along with, put up with, endure, brook, stomach, swallow, bear; Scottish thole; informal stand for, stick, hack, give the go ahead to, give the green light to, give the thumbs up to, give the okay to; N. Amer. rare approbate.

counter

counter 1 noun 1 he left his groceries on the counter: worktop, work surface, worktable, table, bench, buffet, top, horizontal surface; checkout, bar, stand. 2 the idea of the game is to collect the most counters: token, chip, disc, jetton; piece, man, marker, wafer; N. Amer. check.

counter

counter 2 verb the workers countered accusations of dishonesty with claims of oppression: parry, hit back at, answer, respond to, retort to, contradict, negate; ward off, fend off, stave off, deflect, rebuff, rebut, repel, repulse, hold at bay; combat, fight, attack, tackle, confront, stand up to, put up a fight against, oppose, resist, dispute, argue against; counteract; informal shoot full of holes, blow sky high; formal gainsay; rare controvert, confute, negative. ANTONYMS support. ▶adjective after years of argument and counter argument there is no conclusive answer: opposing, opposed, opposite, contrary, adverse, conflicting, contradictory, contrasting, obverse, different, differing. ANTONYMS complementary. ▶adverb the policy would run counter to EC plans: against, in opposition to, contrary to, at variance with, in defiance of, in contravention of, contrarily, contrariwise, conversely; against the tide, in the opposite direction, in the reverse direction, in the wrong direction. ANTONYMS in accordance with.

counteract

counteract verb 1 new measures were brought in to counteract counterfeiting: prevent, thwart, frustrate, foil, impede, curb, restrain, forestall, hinder, hamper, baulk, oppose, act against, stall, check, resist, withstand, defeat, put a stop to, bring an end to; fend off, ward off, stave off, head off. ANTONYMS encourage. 2 studying foreign history counteracts tendencies to insularity: offset, counterbalance, balance, balance out, cancel out, even out, counterpoise, countervail, compensate for, make up for, remedy; neutralize, nullify, annul, negate, invalidate; rare counterweigh, equilibrize, negative. ANTONYMS enhance, exacerbate.

counterbalance

counterbalance verb the risk of failure tends to be counterbalanced by high rewards: compensate for, make up for, offset, balance, balance out, even out, equalize, neutralize, nullify, negate, undo, countervail, counterpoise, counteract; rare counterweigh, equilibrize, negative.

counterfeit

counterfeit adjective they were charged with supplying counterfeit cassettes: fake, faked, copied, forged, feigned, simulated, sham, spurious, bogus, imitation, substitute, dummy, ersatz; informal knock-off, pirate, pirated, phoney, pseud, pseudo; Brit. informal, dated cod. ANTONYMS genuine. ▶noun the shopkeeper knew the notes to be counterfeits: fake, forgery, copy, reproduction, replica, imitation, likeness, lookalike, mock-up, dummy, substitute, fraud, sham; informal phoney, pirate, knock-off, rip-off, put-on, dupe. ANTONYMS original. ▶verb my signature is extremely hard to counterfeit: fake, forge, copy, reproduce, replicate, imitate, simulate, feign, falsify, sham; informal pirate.

countermand

countermand verb orders were being issued and then countermanded: revoke, rescind, reverse, undo, repeal, retract, withdraw, take back, abrogate, abolish, quash, scrap, override, overturn, overrule, do away with, set aside, cancel, annul, invalidate, nullify, negate, veto, declare null and void; back-pedal on, backtrack on, do a U-turn on; Law disaffirm, discharge, avoid, vacate, vitiate; informal axe, ditch, dump, knock on the head; archaic recall; rare disannul. ANTONYMS uphold.

counterpart

counterpart noun the president held talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart: equivalent, opposite number, peer, equal, parallel, complement, match, twin, mate, fellow, brother, sister, analogue, correlative; copy, duplicate; rare compeer, coequal.

countless

countless adjective penicillin has relieved the suffering of countless patients: innumerable, untold, legion, numberless, unnumbered, numerous, very many, manifold, multitudinous, multifarious; a great number of, incalculable numbers of, immeasurable numbers of, endless numbers of, infinite numbers of, a multitude of, a multiplicity of; more than one can count, too many to be counted; informal umpteen, no end of, loads of, stacks of, heaps of, masses of, oodles of, bags of, scads of, zillions of; N. Amer. informal a slew of, a bunch of, gazillions of, bazillions of; S. African informal lank; literary myriad, divers; rare innumerous, unnumberable. ANTONYMS few.

countrified

countrified adjective the countrified ambience was spoilt by the express trains: rural, rustic, pastoral, bucolic, countryside, country; idyllic, unspoilt; literary Arcadian, sylvan; rare georgic, exurban. ANTONYMS urban.

country

country noun 1 he became the greatest ruler the country had known: state, nation, sovereign state, kingdom, realm, territory, province, principality, palatinate, duchy, empire, commonwealth. 2 I had a chance of representing my country: homeland, native land, native soil, fatherland, motherland, mother country, country of origin, birthplace; the land of one's birth, the land of one's fathers, the old country, one's roots, one's home. 3 they travelled through thickly forested country: terrain, land, territory, parts; landscape, scenery, setting, surroundings, environment. 4 the president made televised speeches to the country: people, public, general public, population, populace, community, citizenry, nation, body politic, collective; inhabitants, residents, citizens, electors, voters, taxpayers, ratepayers, grass roots; Brit. informal Joe Public; rare indigenes. 5 in 1700, ninety per cent of the population lived in the country : countryside, green belt, great outdoors; provinces, backwoods, wilds, wilderness, hinterland; a rural area, a rural district; farmland, agricultural land; Austral. outback, bush, back country, backblocks, booay; S. African backveld, platteland; informal sticks, back of beyond, middle of nowhere; N. Amer. informal boondocks, boonies, tall timbers; Austral. informal Woop Woop, beyond the black stump. ANTONYMS city. ▶adjective she loved fresh air and country pursuits: rural, countryside, outdoor, rustic, pastoral, bucolic; agrarian, agricultural, farming; literary sylvan, Arcadian; rare georgic, agrestic, exurban. ANTONYMS urban.

countryman, countrywoman

countryman, countrywoman noun 1 she was forced into a betrayal of her countrywoman: compatriot, fellow citizen, fellow national, fellow countryman /countrywoman. 2 the countryman takes a great interest in the weather: farmer, farmhand, country dweller, country cousin, son /daughter of the soil; rustic, yokel, bumpkin, peasant, provincial; French paysan; Russian muzhik, kulak; Spanish campesino, paisano; Italian contadino, contadina; Egyptian fellah; Indian ryot; Irish informal culchie, bogman; N. Amer. informal hayseed, hick, hillbilly, rube, schlub; Austral. informal bushy, ocker; archaic swain, hind, kern, carl, churl, cottier; rare bucolic.

countryside

countryside noun 1 the hotel is set in acres of breathtaking countryside: landscape, scenery, surroundings, setting, environment; terrain, land, country, parts. 2 (the countryside ) I was brought up in the countryside: a rural area, a rural district, farmland, agricultural land, the country, the green belt, the great outdoors; the provinces, the backwoods, the wilds, the wilderness, the hinterland; Austral. the outback, the bush, the back country, the booay; S. African the backveld, the platteland; informal the sticks, the back of beyond, the middle of nowhere; N. Amer. informal the boondocks, the boonies, the tall timbers; Austral. informal Woop Woop, beyond the black stump.

county

county noun the Northern counties of England: shire, province, territory, administrative unit, sector, department, state; region, district, area, zone; archaic demesne. ▶adjective Brit. a county grande dame: landowning, landed, upper-class, well born, high-born, noble-born, noble, aristocratic, patrician, titled, blue-blooded, born with a silver spoon in one's mouth; Brit. upmarket; informal upper-crust, top-drawer, {huntin', shootin', and fishin' }, tweedy, classy, posh; archaic gentle, of gentle birth.

Duden Dictionary

Count

Count Substantiv, maskulin , der |ka͜unt |der Count; Genitiv: des Counts, Plural: die Counts englisch count < französisch comte, Comte 1 ohne Plural englischer Titel für einen Grafen nicht britischer Herkunft 2 Träger des Titels »Count «

Countdown

Count down , Count-down Substantiv, maskulin oder Substantiv, Neutrum , der oder das Count-down |Count-down ˈka͜untˈda͜un ˈka͜untˈda͜un |der, selten: das Countdown; Genitiv: des Countdown [s ], Plural: die Countdowns der und das Count-down; Genitiv: des Count-down [s ], Plural: die Count-downs englisch countdown, zu: to count down = herunterzählen, aus: to count = zählen (< altfranzösisch counter < lateinisch computare, Computer ) und down = von oben nach unten 1 a bis zum Zeitpunkt null (Startzeitpunkt ) rückwärtsschreitende Zeitzählung als Einleitung eines Startkommandos [beim Abschuss einer Rakete ] der Countdown beginnt | den Countdown abbrechen | figurativ der Countdown für die Olympischen Spiele hat begonnen b Gesamtheit der vor einem [Raketen ]start auszuführenden letzten Kontrollen 2 Gesamtheit der letzten technischen Vorbereitungen vor einem Unternehmen

Counter

Coun ter Substantiv, maskulin , der |ˈka͜untɐ |der Counter; Genitiv: des Counters, Plural: die Counter englisch counter = Ladentisch, Theke, über das Altfranzösische zu mittellateinisch computatorium = Tisch des Geldwechslers, zu lateinisch computare, Computer a Flugwesen Schalter im Flughafen, an dem die Flugreisenden abgefertigt werden b Touristik Theke in Reisebüros u. Ä.

Counter-Display

Coun ter-Dis play , Coun ter dis play Substantiv, Neutrum Werbesprache , das Counterdisplay |…dɪspleɪ …dɪspleɪ |das Counter-Display; Genitiv: des Counter-Displays, Plural: die Counter-Displays das Counterdisplay; Genitiv: des Counterdisplays, Plural: die Counterdisplays bildliche Darstellung einer Ware für den Ladentisch als Thekenaufsteller

Counterpart

Coun ter part Substantiv, maskulin , der |ˈka͜untɐpart |der Counterpart; Genitiv: des Counterparts, Plural: die Counterparts englisch counterpart = Gegenstück, aus: counter- = Gegen- und part = Teil, Stück Gegenstück 1 der Vorsitzende der CDU und sein Counterpart aus der SPD | sein chinesischer Counterpart passte auf ihn auf

Countertenor

Coun ter te nor Substantiv, maskulin Musik , der |ˈka͜untɐ …|englisch a Contratenor b Altus

Countess

Coun tess Substantiv, feminin , die |ˈka͜untɪs |die Countess; Genitiv: der Countess, Plural: die Countesses |[…tɪsɪz ]|, auch Countessen |[…ˈtɛsn̩ ] |englisch countess < französisch comtesse, Komtess 1 ohne Plural englischer Titel für eine Gräfin nicht britischer Herkunft 2 Trägerin des Titels »Countess «

Country

Coun t ry , Coun try Substantiv, maskulin , der |ˈkantri |der Country; Genitiv: des Country Kurzwort für: Countrymusic

Countrymusic

Coun t ry mu sic , Coun try mu sic Substantiv, feminin , die Countrymusik |ˈkantrimjuːzɪk |englisch country music, aus: country = Land, ländliche Gegend und music = Musik Volksmusik des Südens und Mittelwestens der USA Kurzform: Country

Countrymusik

Coun try mu sik Substantiv, feminin , die Countrymusic |ˈkantrimuziːk |die Countrymusik; Genitiv: der Countrymusik englisch country music, aus: country = Land, ländliche Gegend und music = Musik Volksmusik des Südens und Mittelwestens der USA Kurzform: Country

Countrysänger

Coun try sän ger Substantiv, maskulin , der Sänger von Countrysongs

Countrysängerin

Coun try sän ge rin Substantiv, feminin , die weibliche Form zu Countrysänger

Countrysong

Coun t ry song , Coun try song Substantiv, maskulin , der Song der Countrymusic

County

Coun ty Substantiv, Neutrum oder Substantiv, feminin , das oder die |ˈka͜unti |das County; Genitiv: des Countys, Plural: die Countys, auch: die County; Genitiv: der County, Plural: die Countys englisch county, eigentlich = Grafschaft, zu Count Gerichts- und Verwaltungsbezirk in Großbritannien und in den USA

Spanish Dictionary

country

country nombre masculino 1 Estilo de música popular de Estados Unidos de América basado en la música tradicional sureña (derivada de la música folclórica de los inmigrantes británicos ) con influencias de otros tipos de música popular :la guitarra, el banjo, el violín y la armónica son instrumentos habituales en el country .2 adjetivo De este estilo musical o relacionado con él :música country; ambiente country; estilo country .ETIMOLOGÍA Préstamo del inglés country , elisión de country (music ) ‘(música ) campesina ’.Se pronuncia ‘countri ’ o ‘cauntri ’.

Sanseido Wisdom Dictionary

count

count 1 /kaʊnt /〖原義は「1つ1つ数える」〗動詞～s /-ts /; ～ed /-ɪd /; ～ing 他動詞 1 〈人が〉 (合計を出すために )〈物人など〉を数える , 計算する ; …の合計を出す (up )▸ count calories カロリー計算をする ▸ count the time (どれくらいかかるか )時間を計る ▸ count heads [noses ]人数を数える ▸ count up all the people 全員の数を数える ▸ count three 3つ数える 2 〈人物〉を当てにする ; «…の中へ » …を勘定に入れる (include ) «among , in » ▸ I counted that guy among my best friends .私はその男を親友だと思っていた 3 〖count A (as [for ]) C 〗A 〈人物事〉をCと見なす, (公に )認める (consider, regard ) (!Cは名詞形容詞 ; 進行形にしない ) ▸ He was counted a good student .彼はいい生徒だと見なされていた ▸ I count it an honor to serve you .あなたに仕えることを名誉と考えます ▸ count A as [for ] lost [dead ]A 〈人〉を死んだものと見なす ▸ count oneself lucky [fortunate ]自分を幸運と思う 4 …を «…の » せいにする «to » .5 ｟話｠〖～ that節〗…と思う ▸ I count that he will be right back .彼はすぐ戻ると思う自動詞 1 〈人が〉 «…から /…まで » 数を数える, (数字によって )計算する (up ) «from /to » ; 〈物が〉 (総計で …の )数になる (up )▸ count (up ) to ten 10まで数える ▸ How high can you count ?いくつまで数を数えられるかな ▸ count on one's fingers 指で数える ▸ count backward (大から小へと )数字を逆に数える ▸ Negative votes count five .反対票は5票ある 2 〈物事が〉重要である ; «…の » 価値がある «for » (!進行形にしない ) ▸ Age doesn't count .歳なんか問題じゃない ▸ It's the thought that counts .気持ちが大切なんだ ▸ The point is that character does count .要は性格が大切ということだ ▸ That's what counted in those days .それが当時重要とされていたことだ ▸ His name doesn't count for much [counts for nothing ].彼の名前なんかさして重要ではない [無価値である ]▸ Individual rights count for something .個人の権利が重要だ 3 〖count as C 〗〈物事人が〉Cと見なされる (!Cは名詞形容詞 ) ▸ Living together doesn't count as married .同居しているということで結婚しているとは言えない 4 〘楽〙拍子を取る .5 〘スポーツ〙得点する .and c ó unting (数量を表す語の後ろに置いて )そしてさらに増加成長しつつある .can c ò unt A on (the f ì ngers of ) one h á nd ｟話｠A 〈人物〉の数が (片手で数えられるほど )非常に少ない ▸ I could count my friends on one hand .友人は数えるほどしかいなかった c ó unt against A 〈行動性格などが〉A 〈人〉にとって不利な要因となる .c ó unt A against B A 〈行動性格〉をB 〈人〉にとって不利であると考える .c ò unt d ó wn 秒読みする .c ò unt A d ó wn [d ó wn A ]A 〈数字〉を (大から小へ )数える ; 【スタートまで】秒読みする «to » (→countdown ).c ò unt A í n [í n A ]｟くだけて｠A 〈人〉を仲間に加える, 数に入れる ▸ “Any volunteers?” “Okay, count me in .”「進んでやってみたい人はいるかい」「よし, 話に乗るよ」c ò unt ó ff ｟米｠〖しばしば命令文で〗〘軍〙〈整列した兵士が〉 (「1, 2, 3, 4 」などと )番号を唱える (｟英｠number off ); 同人数の班に分かれる ; (数えて )等分する .c ò unt A ó ff [ó ff A ](確認のため )A 〈人物〉の数を (声を出して )数える .c ó unt on [upon ] A A 〈人〉を当てにする, 信頼する ; A 〈人事〉が «…するのを » 期待する (rely on A ) «to do, do ing » (!受け身可 ) ▸ Can we count on your help, Sarah? サラ, 君の援助を当てにしていいかい ▸ You can count on me to protect you .君を守るって約束するよ ▸ I don't count on present trends continuing .今のような傾向がいつまでも続くとは思えない c ò unt A ó ut [ó ut A ]1 A 〈金銭〉を数えて出す [渡す ]; A 〈品物〉を数え分ける ▸ He opened his wallet, and counted out twenty dollars .彼は財布を開け, 20ドルを数えて出した 2 ｟くだけて｠Aを仲間に含めない, 数に入れない ▸ Count me out .｟くだけた話｠僕のことははずしてくれ, 僕は遠慮するよ 3 〘ボクシング〙〈レフリーが〉(10まで数えて )A 〈ボクサー〉をノックアウトと宣言する .4 ｟米話｠票数をごまかしてA 〈候補者〉を落選させる .c ò unt to t é n 1 10まで数える .2 ｟話｠(10まで数えて )心を落ち着かせる .c ó unt toward (s ) A A 〈資格条件成績など〉に算入される ; A 〈事〉に有利に働く, プラスになる .Wh ò 's c ó unting?｟くだけて｠数 [回数 ]なんか問題ではない [気にするな ].名詞複～s /-ts /1 C 〖通例単数形で〗数えること , 計算 , 勘定 ▸ by my count 私の計算では ▸ on [at ] the count of three 3つ数えたら ▸ hold one's breath for a count of ten 息を止めて10数える ▸ do a quick count of A Aの数をすばやく数える 2 C 〖通例単数形で〗数 , 総数 , (合計の )値 (amount )▸ a pollen count 花粉飛散数 ▸ a blood count 血球値 3 C (議論上での )論点 , 問題点 ▸ on that count その点に関して ▸ on all [several ] counts あらゆる [いくつかの ]点で 4 C 〘法〙訴因 , (訴訟原因の )項目 ▸ be charged with three counts of murder 3件の殺人罪で告発される 5 C 〘野球〙(打者の )カウント (!two-oneと言えばtwo balls and one strikeのことで, 日本とは逆 ) .6 C 〘ボクシング〙(レフリーの )カウント ; 〘ボウリング〙カウント〘スペアを取った後の第1投で倒したピンの数〙.7 C (紡績の )番手〘糸の太さ質を表す単位〙.8 C 〘物理〙放射線の計数値 .9 C 会計 , 決算 .at the l à st c ó unt 最後の集計では .be d ò wn ｟米｠ [ò ut ｟英｠] for the c ó unt ｟くだけて｠1 (しばらく )気を失っている ; 熟睡している ; 疲れきっている ; 〈機械が〉だめになる ; 死ぬ .2 〘ボクシング〙KO負けをする .beyond [out of ] c ó unt 数えきれない .k è ep (a ) c ó unt «…の » 数を覚えている ; «…を » 数え続ける «of » .l ò se c ó unt «…の » 数がわからなくなる, 数を忘れる «of » .s è t c ó unt on A Aを重視する .t à ke c ó unt of A Aを数える ; Aを重視する .t à ke the c ó unt ｟くだけて｠1 気を失う ; 死ぬ .2 〘ボクシング〙KO負けをする .～́ ing fr à me (子供用のそろばん式 )計算盤 .～́ n ò un 〘文法〙可算名詞 (countable noun ).

count

count 2 名詞 C 〖しばしばC -〗(｟英｠以外のヨーロッパ諸国の )伯爵（はくしやく） (!｟英｠ではearlという; 呼びかけにも使われる; 女性形はcountess; →duke 関連 ) .

countable

c ó unt a ble 形容詞 1 数えられる ; 〘文法〙可算の (↔uncountable ).2 〘数〙(集合が )可算の, 可付番 (個 )の .名詞 C 数えられるもの ; 〘文法〙可算名詞 (countable noun , count noun ) 〘本書では C で示す; ｟略｠C 〙.

countdown

c ó unt d ò wn 名詞 1 C «…までの » 秒読み, カウントダウン «to » (!行為の過程を意識する時は U ) .2 〖単数形で〗【重要行事までの】秒読み [最終 ]段階 (の準備 ) «to » .3 C (秒読み用の )デジタル表示 .～́ t ì mer 秒読み式タイマー .

countenance

coun te nance /káʊnt (ə )nəns /名詞複～s /-ɪz /｟かたく文｠1 C U 顔つき , 表情 ; C 顔だち , 顔 (!faceの方が一般的 ) ▸ She expressed a slight panic in her countenance .表情から彼女は少しうろたえていることがうかがえた 2 U (精神的 )支援 , 援助 (support ); 承認 (approval ).3 U 冷静 , 落着き ▸ keep [lose ] one's countenance 平静を保つ [失う ].k è ep A in c ó untenance ｟やや古｠A 〈人〉の顔を立ててやる, Aに決まり悪い思いをさせない .out of c ó untenance ｟やや古｠ろうばいして, 慌てて .動詞他動詞｟かたく｠〈人が〉〈物事〉に賛成する , …を承認 [黙認 ]する (!しばしば否定文で ) ▸ He couldn't countenance anything illegitimate .彼は違法な事は何も許せなかった .

counter

count er 1 /káʊntə r /〖「count 1 (計算する )er (人物 )」＞「計算をする場所 (カウンター )」〗名詞複～s /-z /C 1 ｟主に米｠(台所の )調理台 , 流し台 (｟英｠worktop ).2 (店銀行レストランなどの )カウンター , 勘定台 , 売り台 ▸ a girl behind the counter カウンターで働く女の子 ▸ go up to a counter to order food 食べ物を注文するためにカウンターのところまで行く 3 (ゲームの )カウンター , 駒 , チップ〘盤上にのせたり, 得点の計算に用いる小円板〙.4 数える人 ; 計数器 ; (ウェブサイトなどの )カウンター ; 〘物理〙(放射線の )計数管 .5 模造 [代用 ]貨幣 .over the c ó unter 1 (薬を買うときに )医師の処方箋（せん）なしで, 薬屋の店頭で .2 (取引所を通さず )証券業者の店頭で .3 (卸し問屋ではなく )小売店で .under the c ó unter (商品の売買について )正規のルートによらず, やみ (値 )で, 不正 [非合法 ]に .

counter

count er 2 /káʊntə r /動詞～s /-z /; ～ed /-d /; ～ing /-t (ə )rɪŋ /他動詞 1 〈人が〉〈問題悪影響など〉に «…で /…することによって » 反撃する , 対抗 [対応 ]する , …を抑制する «with /by » ▸ This symptom can be countered with immediate administration of adrenaline .この症状はアドレナリンの速やかな投与によって抑えられる ▸ The students countered uncomfortable temperatures by leaving their windows wide open .学生たちは窓を全開にして不快な気温に対処した 2 〖～ that節〗〈人が〉…だと言って反論する ; 〈議論告訴など〉に反論する , 反証をあげる ▸ They will counter that “jet skis ” themselves are not dangerous .彼らはジェットスキー自体は危険なものではないと言って反論するだろう自動詞 «…で » 反論 [反対 ]する ; 反撃する «with » .副詞｟かたく｠ «…と » 反対に , 逆に «to » ▸ The new abortion law ran counter to basic points in the constitution .新しい (妊娠 )中絶法は憲法の基本理念に反した形容詞｟かたく｠ «…に » 逆の , 反対の «to » ▸ a counter argument 反対の議論, 反論名詞 C 1 逆 (のもの ), «…に » 反対のもの ; «…に対する » 反論 «to » .2 〘ボクシング〙カウンター ; 〘アメフト〙カウンタープレー .3 (靴の )かかと革 .4 〘海〙船尾の突出部 , カウンター .

counter-

c ó un ter- 接頭辞〖動詞名詞形容詞副詞に付けて〗1 反, 反対 (の )▸ counter act …を和らげる .2 対応 [相当 ](する )▸ counter part 対応するもの .3 仕返し, 返報 (の ).4 妨害する [の ], 防止する [の ].

counteract

c ò unter á ct /-rǽkt /動詞他動詞〈(悪 )影響毒病気など〉を中和する, 阻止 [防止 ]する, 和らげる ; …に逆らう .

counteraction

c ò unter á ction /-rǽkʃ (ə )n /名詞 U C ((悪 )影響毒病気などの )中和, 相殺, 減殺, 防止 .

counteractive

c ò unter á ctive /-rǽktɪv |/形容詞反作用の ; 中和する .名詞 C 中和剤 .

counterargument

c ó unter à rgument /-rɑ̀ -/名詞 C ｟書｠ «…に対する » 反論 «to » .

counterattack

c ó unter att à ck /-rətæ̀k /名詞 C (戦争スポーツ議論などの )【攻撃者挑戦者への】反撃, 逆襲, 反論 «against , on » .動詞他動詞自動詞 (…に )反撃 [反論, 逆襲 ]する .～er 名詞 C 反撃 [反論 ]者 .

counterattraction

c ò unter attr á ction /-rət -/名詞 C 対抗する出し物 .

counterbalance

c ò unter b á lance 動詞他動詞 …と釣り合わせる, …に釣り合う ; …を中和 [相殺 ]する .名詞 /-́--̀ -/C «…への » 対抗勢力 ; «…と » 釣り合うもの «to » ; 中和するもの ; 平衡力 .

counterblast

c ó unter bl à st 名詞 C «…への » 激しい反発 [反撃, 反論 ] «to » (!通例新聞などの見出しで用いる ) .

counterchange

c ó unter ch à nge /｟英｠-̀--́ /動詞他動詞 …を入れ替える, 置き換える .

counterclaim

c ó unter cl à im 名詞 C 〘法〙(特に被告の )【原告に対する】反対要求, 反訴 «for » .動詞 /-̀--́ /自動詞〘法〙反訴する .

counterclockwise

c ò unter cl ó ckwise 形容詞副詞｟米｠反時計回りの [に ], 左回りの [に ](｟英｠anticlockwise )(↔clockwise ).

counterculture

c ó unter c ù lture 名詞 1 U C 反体制文化, カウンターカルチャー〘既成の価値観規範などに反発する主に若者の文化〙.2 C 反体制文化を主張する若者たち (の集団 ).

counterespionage

c ò unter é spion à ge 名詞 U (敵のスパイ活動に対する )反スパイ活動, 逆スパイ活動 .

counterfeit

coun ter feit /káʊntə r fɪ̀t / (! -ei-は /ɪ /) 〖counter 2 (反対 )feit (作る )〗形容詞比較なし〖通例名詞の前で〗1 偽の , 偽造の , まがいの〈貨幣商品書類など〉▸ a counterfeit driver's license 偽造された運転免許証 .2 見せかけの , うわべだけの ▸ I think your self-esteem is counterfeit .私は君の自尊心がうわべだけのものであると思う名詞 C 偽造品 , 偽物 , 偽造通貨 .動詞他動詞 1 〈貨幣商品書類など〉を偽造 [模造 ]する .2 …に酷似している .3 …のふりをする .

counterfeiter

c ó un ter f è it er 名詞 C (特に貨 [紙 ]幣の )偽造者, 偽金作り (人 ).

counterfoil

c ó unter f ò il 名詞 C (小切手為替領収書などの )控え, 半券 .

counterintelligence

c ò unter int é lligence 名詞 U スパイ防止活動, 防諜活動 .

counterman

c ó unter m à n /-mæ̀n /名詞複 -men C (軽食堂などの )カウンター係 (｟男女共用｠counter attendant ).

countermand

coun ter mand /káʊntə r mæ̀nd |kàʊntəmɑ́ːnd /動詞他動詞｟かたく｠(反対の注文命令によって )〈前の注文命令〉を取り消す, 撤回する ; …を呼び戻す .

countermeasure

c ó unter m è asure 名詞 C 〖通例～s 〗 «…に対する » 対抗 [対応 ]手段, 対策 «against » .

counteroffensive

c ó unter off è nsive /-rəfèn -/名詞 C (敵の攻撃に対する )反撃, 反攻 .

counteroffer

c ó unter ò ffer /-rɑ̀fə r |-rɔ̀fə /名詞 C 〘商〙(競争相手に対抗する )修正申し込み .

counterpane

coun ter pane /káʊntə r pèɪn /名詞 C ｟やや古｠掛けぶとん, (厚手で飾りのついた )ベッドカバー (bedspread ).

counterpart

coun ter part /káʊntə r pɑ̀ː r t /〖counter 2 (反対 )part (部分 )〗名詞複～s /-ts /C 1 «…に » 対応 [相当 ]する物 [人 ], 相対物 «of , to » (!異なった状況にいる [ある ]が, 同じ仕事機能を持つ人物のこと ) ▸ The Japanese Prime Minister is to meet his Chinese counterpart this week .日本の総理大臣, 中国国家主席と今週会談の予定 (!具体的名称は異なることも多い ) 2 相似物 , そっくりなもの [人 ]; 〘法〙写し , 複製 , 副本 (copy ).

counterpoint

c ó unter p ò int 名詞 1 U 〘楽〙対位法 .2 C 〘楽〙対位旋律 .3 C «…に対する » 対比的 [対照的 ]な要素 «to » .動詞他動詞 (対比対照により )…を引き立たせる, …を強調する ; …を対照させる .

counterproductive

c ò unter prod ú ctive 形容詞逆効果の ; 非生産的な .

counterpunch

c ó unter p ù nch 名詞 C 動詞自動詞〘ボクシング〙カウンターパンチ (を打つ ); ｟比喩的に｠なぐり返す (こと ).

counterrevolution

c ò unter revol ú tion 名詞 U C (革命を元に戻そうとする )反革命 (運動 [行動 ]).

counterrevolutionary

c ò unter revol ú tionary 形容詞反革命の .名詞複 -ies C 反革命主義者 .

countersign

counter sign /-́--̀, -̀--́ /動詞他動詞〈書類小切手など〉に連署 [副署 ]する〘(1 )すでに署名された書類などにもう1つ署名すること. (2 )署名済みの小切手に認証のためにもう一度署名すること〙.名詞 /-́--̀ C /1 合い言葉 (password ).2 連署, 副署 .

countersink

c ó unter s ì nk 動詞 →sink 他動詞 (ねじやボルトの頭が埋まるように )〈穴の口〉を円 (錐 )形に広げる, …に皿穴を開ける ; 〈ねじやボルトの頭〉を皿穴に埋める .名詞 C 皿穴 ; 皿穴用もみ錐（きり）.

countertenor

c ó unter t è nor /｟英｠-̀--́ -/名詞〘楽〙C カウンターテナー歌手〘男声の最高音域を歌う歌手〙; U その歌手が歌う部分, カウンターテナー .

countervailing

c ó unter v à il ing 形容詞｟かたく｠〖通例名詞の前で〗〈力意見などが〉 (ほかに )対抗できるほどの, 相殺するような .

counterweight

c ó unter w è ight 動詞名詞＝counterbalance .

countess

count ess /káʊntəs /名詞 C 女伯爵 ; 伯爵夫人〘count, earlの妻; →duke 関連〙 (!呼びかけにも使用可 ) .

counting

c ó unt ing 前置詞 …を含めて, …を数に入れて (including )▸ not counting A Aを含めないで

countless

count less /káʊntləs /形容詞比較なし〖通例名詞の前で〗無数の , 数え切れないほど (多く )の (innumerable ).

countrified

coun tri fied /kʌ́ntrifàɪd /形容詞〖通例名詞の前で〗1 田舎の, 田舎者の, 田舎くさい .2 〈音楽が〉カントリーミュージック風の .

country

coun try /kʌ́ntri / (! -ou-は /ʌ /) 〖語源は「反対側 (contra )の土地」〗名詞複 -tries /-z /1 a. C 国 , 国家 , 国土 ▸ Asian countries アジア諸国 ▸ a poor [rich ] country 貧しい [豊かな ]国家 ▸ developing [developed ] countries 発展途上 [先進 ]国 ▸ across [all over ] the country 国中で [に ]▸ in this country 我が国では類義 countryとnation, state, land country は政府の存在する国家国土をさし, nation はその国民や歴史的社会的状況に焦点をあてる. state は独自の政治概念を持つ組織をさして使う. land が国を意味するのは｟主に文詩｠.b. 〖one's ～〗祖国 , 出身国 , 故郷 ▸ fight for one's country 祖国のために戦う｟作文のポイント｠出身はどちらですか .× What is your country? ○ Where are you [do you come ] from? ❢→from 3 c , come from A .2 〖the ～〗(都会に対して )田舎（いなか）, 郊外 (countryside ); 〖形容詞的に〗田舎の , 郊外の ▸ I prefer cities to the country .私は田舎より都会が好きだ ▸ live peacefully in the country 田舎でのんびり暮らす ▸ a country road 田舎道 .3 〖通例the ～; 集合的に; 単数扱い〗(すべての )国民 , 大衆 ▸ The whole country was shocked at the incident .国中 (の人々 )がその事件に衝撃を受けた 4 U 〖通例無冠詞で〗…な地帯 [土地 ]; …にまつわる [適した ]地域 (!farming, rocky, openなどの形容詞や固有名詞などを伴って; →area 類義 ) ▸ mountainous [rugby ] country 山岳 [ラグビーがさかんな ]地域 ▸ peanut farming country ピーナツ栽培地帯 5 U (知識などの )領域 , 分野 .6 U 〘楽〙カントリー (音楽 ); 〖形容詞的に〗カントリー (音楽 )の (country music, country and western ).7 C 〘法〙陪審 .acr ò ss c ó untry 1 (都市や主要道路を避け )田野を通って (!across the countryは通例「国中」; ↑1 ) ▸ ride a bus across country 田園地帯を通るバスに乗る 2 長距離を移動して .g ò [app è al ] to the c ó untry ｟英｠〈首相政府が〉 (議会を解散して )総選挙を行う .～̀ b ú mpkin 田舎者 .～́ cl ù b カントリークラブ〘社交とスポーツを楽しむ高級クラブ; ゴルフだけではない〙.～̀ c ó usin ｟けなして｠お上（のぼ）りさん, 田舎者 .～̀ d á nce [d á ncing ]カントリーダンス〘列や輪になって踊る伝統的な踊り〙.～̀ g é ntleman 田舎の財産家 .～́ h ò use ｟英｠(貴族や資産家の )田舎の豪邸 .～̀ r ó ck 〘楽〙カントリーロック .～̀ s é at ｟英｠(資産家が田舎に持つ )別荘 .～́ st ò re 田舎の日用雑貨店, よろず屋 .

countryman

c ó untry man 名詞複 -men C 1 〖通例one 's ～〗同国 [同郷 ]人, 同胞 .2 田舎者, 田舎に住む人 [男 ](｟男女共用｠country dweller ).3 〖しばしば複合語で〗(ある土地の )出身者, 住民 (｟男女共用｠native, resident ).

countryside

coun try side /kʌ́ntrisàɪd /名詞 U 〖通例the ～〗1 田舎 , 田園 [農村 ]地帯 (!風景などの美しさに焦点をあてた言い方 ) ▸ the English countryside イギリスの田園地帯 ▸ live in the countryside 田舎で暮らす 2 〖集合的に; 単数扱い〗田舎の住民 .

countrywide

c ò untry w í de 形容詞副詞全国的な [に ].

countrywoman

c ó untry w ò man 名詞複 -women C (→countryman )1 田舎者, 田舎に住む女性 .2 〖通例one 's ～〗同国 [同郷 ]人, 同胞 .

county

coun ty /káʊnti / (! -ou-は /aʊ /) 〖語源は「伯爵 (count 2 )に治められた土地」〗名詞複 -ties /-z /C 1 ｟米｠郡〘州 (state )の下位の行政区画; ｟略｠Co. 〙▸ Dallas County ダラス郡 2 ｟英｠州 ; ｟アイル｠県〘地方行政の最大区画; 日本の県にあたる〙.3 〖形容詞的に〗｟米｠郡の ; ｟英｠州の .4 〖the ～; 集合的に; 単複両扱い〗郡民 , 州民 .形容詞｟英通例非難して｠典型的な上流階級の .～̀ b ó rough 〘英史〙特別市〘行政上州と同格の都市; 1974年廃止〙.～̀ cl é rk ｟米｠郡書記官〘選挙や不動産に関する役職〙.～̀ c ó rporate 〘英史〙独立自治区 .～̀ c ó uncil 〖集合的に; 単複両扱い〗｟英｠州議会 ; ｟米｠郡議会 .～̀ c ó uncillor 州 [郡 ]議会議員 .～̀ c ó urt ｟英｠州裁判所〘民事のみ扱う〙; ｟米｠郡裁判所〘民事刑事とも扱う〙.～̀ cr í cket ｟英｠州対抗クリケット試合 .～̀ f á ir ｟米｠農畜産物品評会 [共進会 ].～̀ p á latine 〖時にC - P- 〗〘英史〙王権州〘もとパラティン伯が領有した諸州〙.～̀ s é at ｟米｠郡庁所在地 .～̀ t ó wn ｟英｠州庁所在地 .