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
under 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
: by surreptitious means : in an illicit and private manner
workers being paid under the counter
counter
noun (2)
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
verbDefinition of counter (Entry 3 of 7)
1a
: to act in opposition to : oppose
2
: to assert in answer
We countered that our warnings had been ignored.
: to meet attacks or arguments with defensive or retaliatory steps
counter
adverbDefinition 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)Definition of counter (Entry 5 of 7)
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
adjectiveDefinition 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-
prefixDefinition 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
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for counter
The first known use of counter was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century