Main Entry: ³coun·ter

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): coun·tered; coun·ter·ing \ˈkau̇n-t(ə-)riŋ\

Etymology: Middle English countren, from Anglo-French cuntre against, opposite, from Latin contra; akin to Latin com- with, together — more at co-

Date: 14th century

transitive verb 1 a : to act in opposition to : oppose b : offset, nullify <tried to counter the trend toward depersonalization>
2 : to assert in answer <we countered that our warnings had been ignored>intransitive verb : to meet attacks or arguments with defensive or retaliatory steps