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counter

noun (1)
count·​er | \ ˈkau̇n-tər How to pronounce counter (audio) \

Definition of counter

 (Entry 1 of 7)

1 : a piece (as of metal or plastic) used in reckoning or in games
2 : something of value in bargaining : asset
3 : a level surface (such as a table, shelf or display case) over which transactions are conducted or food is served or on which goods are displayed or work is conducted jewelry counter a lunch counter
over the counter
1 : in or through a broker's office rather than through a stock exchange stock bought over the counter
2 : without a prescription drugs available over the counter
under the counter
: by surreptitious means : in an illicit and private manner workers being paid under the counter

counter

noun (2)
count·​er | \ ˈkau̇n-tər How to pronounce counter (audio) \
plural counters

Definition of counter (Entry 2 of 7)

: a person or thing that counts something … I would just tell them I am a very fast counter.— Judy Blume especially : a device or process for indicating a number or amount a counter that records how many times a website is visited As they entered the main door on Fifth Avenue, the guard clicked off two numbers on his people counter. — E. L. Konigsburg

counter

verb
coun·​ter | \ ˈkau̇n-tər How to pronounce counter (audio) \
countered; countering\ ˈkau̇n-​t(ə-​)riŋ How to pronounce countering (audio) \

Definition of counter (Entry 3 of 7)

transitive verb

1a : 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

counter

adverb
coun·​ter | \ ˈkau̇n-tər How to pronounce counter (audio) \

Definition of counter (Entry 4 of 7)

1 : in an opposite or wrong direction
2 : to or toward a different or opposite direction, result, or effect values that run counter to those of society

counter

noun (3)
coun·​ter | \ ˈkau̇n-tər How to pronounce counter (audio) \

Definition of counter (Entry 5 of 7)

1 : contrary, opposite
2 : the after portion of a boat from the waterline to the extreme outward swell or stern overhang
3a : the act of making an attack while parrying one (as in boxing) also : a blow thus given in boxing
b : an agency or force that offsets : check
4 : a stiffener to give permanent form to a boot or shoe upper around the heel
5 : an area within the face of a letter wholly or partly enclosed by strokes
6 : a football play in which the ballcarrier goes in a direction opposite to the movement of the play

counter

adjective
coun·​ter | \ ˈkau̇n-tər How to pronounce counter (audio) \

Definition of counter (Entry 6 of 7)

1 : marked by or tending toward or in an opposite direction or effect
2 : given to or marked by opposition, hostility, or antipathy
3 : situated or lying opposite the counter side
4 : recalling or ordering back by a superseding contrary order : countermanding counter orders from the colonel

counter-

prefix

Definition of counter- (Entry 7 of 7)

1a : contrary : opposite counterclockwise countermarch
b : opposing : retaliatory counterforce counteroffensive
2 : complementary : corresponding counterweight counterpart
3 : duplicate : substitute counterfoil
Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about counter

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Examples of counter in a Sentence

Verb

 When they blamed him for the collapse of the bridge, he countered that his warnings about the bridge had been ignored. “I could say the same thing about you,” she countered. After she made her point, he could not counter with anything.

Adjective

 was unprepared for such a strong counter campaign by opponents of the legislative bill
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First Known Use of counter

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for counter

Noun (1)

Middle English countour, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin computatorium computing place, from Latin computare — see count entry 1

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Anglo-French cuntur, from cunter to count

Verb

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

Adverb

Middle English contre, from Anglo-French cuntre

Prefix

Middle English contre-, from Anglo-French, from cuntre

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Statistics for counter

Last Updated

23 May 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for counter

The first known use of counter was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for counter

over the counter

noun

Financial Definition of over the counter

What It Is

An over the counter security is traded through a dealer network rather than through a centralized, formal exchange (such as the NYSE, Nasdaq, or London Stock Exchange). Assets traded OTC are usually traded by private securities dealers who negotiate directly with buyers and sellers.

How It Works

The primary reason a stock is traded "over the counter" is because the company may be too small to meet the formal exchange listing requirements. OTC stocks may be referred to as "unlisted stocks" because they are traded privately through broker-dealers over the phone and computer networks.

[InvestingAnswers Guide: The Lowdown on Penny Stocks]

Instead of being listed on the NYSE or another formal exchange, OTC stocks are usually listed in the Over the Counter Bulletin Board (OTCBB) and/or on pink sheets. OTC stocks can sometimes be purchased through an online broker.

Bonds are considered over the counter because they are not traded on a formal exchange. To trade a bond, an investor must call the investment bank that the bond is traded through and ask for rates to perform the over the counter exchange.

Why It Matters

Over the counter securities are important because they offer investors alternatives to just investing in the listed companies on the NYSE and Nasdaq. It also gives investors an great opportunity to invest in stocks of small and/or overlooked companies that have plenty of growth potential.

Because most are not required to report to the SEC, many OTC stocks are either penny stocks or are offered by companies with bad credit records. But not all listed OTC traded companies have bad credit ratings; many companies simply don't want to participate in the expensive reporting process.  Because they are less highly regulated, potential investors should do a lot of research before diving into this type of asset.

[InvestingAnswers Feature: 4 Penny Stock Myths Used to Target the Next Sucker]

Source: Investing Answers

counter

verb
How to pronounce counter- (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of counter

 (Entry 1 of 3)

: to do something in defense or in response to something
: to make (something) less effective or ineffective
: to say (something) in response to something that another person has said

counter

adverb
How to pronounce counter- (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of counter (Entry 2 of 3)

: in a way that goes against or does not agree with something

counter-

prefix

English Language Learners Definition of counter- (Entry 3 of 3)

: in a direction opposite to
: as a reaction against

See the full definition for counter- in the English Language Learners Dictionary

counter

noun
count·​er | \ ˈkau̇n-tər How to pronounce counter (audio) \

Kids Definition of counter

 (Entry 1 of 6)

1 : a level surface usually higher than a table that is used especially for selling, serving food, displaying things, or working on
2 : a piece used in games or to find a total in adding

counter

noun
count·​er

Kids Definition of counter (Entry 2 of 6)

1 : a person whose job is to determine a total
2 : a device for showing a number or amount

counter

verb
coun·​ter | \ ˈkau̇n-tər\
countered; countering

Kids Definition of counter (Entry 3 of 6)

1 : to say in response to something said “I could say the same about you,” he countered.
2 : to act in opposition to : oppose She countered with a move that ended the game.

counter

adverb
coun·​ter

Kids Definition of counter (Entry 4 of 6)

: in another or opposite direction He will always go counter to advice.

counter

noun
coun·​ter

Kids Definition of counter (Entry 5 of 6)

: an answering or opposing force or blow

counter-

prefix

Kids Definition of counter-

1 : opposite counterclockwise
2 : opposing
3 : like : matching counterpart
4 : duplicate : substitute

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counter

noun
count·​er | \ ˈkau̇nt-ər How to pronounce counter (audio) \

Medical Definition of counter

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: a level surface over which transactions are conducted or food is served or on which goods are displayed or work is conducted a lunch counter
over the counter
: without a prescription drugs available over the counter

counter

noun

Medical Definition of counter (Entry 2 of 2)

: one that counts especially : a device for indicating a number or amount — see geiger counter

counter-

prefix
coun·​ter- | \ ˈkau̇n-tər\

Legal Definition of counter-

1a : contrary : opposite counterletter
b : opposing : retaliatory counteraction
2 : complementary : corresponding countersign
3 : duplicate : substitute counterpart

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More from Merriam-Webster on counter

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with counter

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for counter

Spanish Central: Translation of counter

Nglish: Translation of counter for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of counter for Arabic Speakers

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