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1

counter

noun count·er \ ˈkau̇n-tər \
Updated on: 13 Oct 2017

Definition of counter

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

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Origin and Etymology of counter

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

Other Furniture and Woodworking Terms

appoint, credenza, mission, settee

2

counter

noun count·er \ ˈkau̇n-tər \

Definition of counter

:one that counts; especially :a device for indicating a number or amount
  • The counter records how many times the website is visited.

Origin and Etymology of counter

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

3

counter

verb coun·ter \ ˈkau̇n-tər \

Definition of counter

countered; countering play \ˈkau̇n-t(ə-)riŋ\
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

See counter defined for English-language learners

Examples of counter in a Sentence

  1. When they blamed him for the collapse of the bridge, he countered that his warnings about the bridge had been ignored.

  2. “I could say the same thing about you,” she countered.

  3. After she made her point, he could not counter with anything.

Origin and Etymology of counter

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

counter Synonyms

Synonyms
battle, combat, contend (with), fight, oppose, oppugn
Antonyms
advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote
Related Words
baffle, checkmate, foil, frustrate, resist, thwart, withstand; confront, defy, face, meet
Near Antonyms
abide, bear, endure, suffer; advocate, back, champion, endorse (also indorse), support, uphold
4

counter

adverb coun·ter \ ˈkau̇n-tər \

Definition of counter

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

See counter defined for English-language learners

Origin and Etymology of counter

Middle English contre, from Anglo-French cuntre

5

counter

noun coun·ter \ ˈkau̇n-tər \

Definition of counter

1 :contrary, opposite
2 :the after portion of a boat from the waterline to the extreme outward swell or stern overhang
3 a :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

First Known Use of counter

15th century

6

counter

adjective coun·ter \ ˈkau̇n-tər \

Definition of counter

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

Examples of counter in a Sentence

  1. was unprepared for such a strong counter campaign by opponents of the legislative bill

First Known Use of counter

1582

counter Synonyms

Synonyms
adverse, disadvantageous, hostile, inimical, negative, prejudicial, unfavorable, unfriendly, unsympathetic, untoward
Antonyms
advantageous, favorable, friendly, positive, supportive, sympathetic, well-disposed
Related Words
bad, baleful, baneful, evil; damaging, deleterious, destructive, detrimental, fatal, harmful, hurtful, ill, injurious, lethal, malignant, murderous, noxious, pernicious, poisonous, ruinous, threatening, troublesome, unhealthy, wounding; dangerous, hazardous, imperiling (or imperilling), jeopardizing, parlous, perilous, risky, unsafe; calumnious, defamatory, detractive, offensive, scathing, slanderous; antagonistic, antipathetic, inhospitable, intolerant, uncongenial, uncooperative; competing, conflicting, counteracting, countering, opposing, resistant, resisting
Near Antonyms
beneficial, good, helpful, propitious, useful; harmless, innocent, innocuous, inoffensive, nondestructive, nonfatal, nonlethal, nonthreatening; unresistant; tolerant, understanding; affable, agreeable, amiable, amicable, benign, benignant, complying, congenial, cordial, friendly, hospitable

counter-

prefix

Definition of counter-

1 a :contrary :opposite
  • counterclockwise
  • countermarch
b :opposing :retaliatory
  • counterforce
  • counteroffensive
2 :complementary :corresponding
  • counterweight
  • counterpart
3 :duplicate :substitute
  • counterfoil
  • counteraccusation
  • counteradaptation
  • counteradvertising
  • counteragent
  • counteraggression
  • counterassault
  • counterattack
  • counterattacker
  • counterbid
  • counterblast
  • counterblockade
  • counterblow
  • countercampaign
  • countercharge
  • countercommercial
  • countercomplaint
  • counterconspiracy
  • counterconvention
  • countercountermeasure
  • countercoup
  • countercriticism
  • countercry
  • counterdemand
  • counterdemonstrate
  • counterdemonstration
  • counterdemonstrator
  • counterdeployment
  • countereducational
  • countereffort
  • counterevidence
  • counterfire
  • counterforce
  • countergovernment
  • counterhypothesis
  • counterimage
  • counterincentive
  • counterinflation
  • counterinflationary
  • counterinfluence
  • counterinstance
  • counterinstitution
  • counterinterpretation
  • counterinvasion
  • countermemo
  • countermobilization
  • countermove
  • countermovement
  • countermyth
  • counterorder
  • counterpetition
  • counterpicket
  • counterplay
  • counterploy
  • counterpower
  • counterpressure
  • counterproject
  • counterpropaganda
  • counterprotest
  • counterprotester
  • counterquestion
  • counterraid
  • counterrally
  • counterreaction
  • counterreform
  • counterreformer
  • counterresponse
  • counterretaliation
  • countershot
  • countersniper
  • counterspell
  • counterstate
  • counterstatement
  • counterstep
  • counterstrategist
  • counterstrategy
  • counterstream
  • counterstrike
  • counterstroke
  • counterstyle
  • countersue
  • countersuggestion
  • countersuit
  • countersurveillance
  • countertactics
  • countertendency
  • counterterror
  • counterterrorism
  • counterterrorist
  • counterthreat
  • counterthrust
  • countertradition
  • countertrend
  • counterviolence
  • counterworld

See counter- defined for English-language learners

See counter- defined for kids

Origin and Etymology of counter-

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

Financial Definition of COUNTER

over the counter
noun

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

Phrases Related to COUNTER

Related Phrases

COUNTER Defined for English Language Learners

counter

verb

Definition of counter for English Language Learners

  • : 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

Definition of counter for English Language Learners

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

counter-

prefix

Definition of counter- for English Language Learners

  • : in a direction opposite to

  • : as a reaction against

COUNTER Defined for Kids

1

counter

noun count·er \ ˈkau̇n-tər \

Definition of counter for Students

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
2

counter

noun count·er

Definition of counter for Students

1 :a person whose job is to determine a total
2 :a device for showing a number or amount
3

counter

verb coun·ter \ ˈkau̇n-tər \

Definition of counter for Students

countered; countering
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.
4

counter

adverb coun·ter

Definition of counter for Students

:in another or opposite direction
  • He will always go counter to advice.
5

counter

noun coun·ter

Definition of counter for Students

:an answering or opposing force or blow

counter-

prefix

Definition of counter- for Students

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

Medical Dictionary

1

counter

noun count·er \ ˈkau̇nt-ər \

medical Definition of counter

: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
2

counter

noun

medical Definition of counter

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

Law Dictionary

counter-

prefix coun·ter- \ ˈkau̇n-tər \

legal Definition of counter-

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

Learn More about counter

  1. See 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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Examples: counter in a Sentence