a table or display case on which goods can be shown, business transacted, etc.
2.
(in restaurants, luncheonettes, etc.) a long, narrow table with stools or chairs along one side for the patrons, behind which refreshments or meals are prepared and served.
3.
a surface for the preparation of food in a kitchen, esp. on a low cabinet.
4.
anything used in keeping account, as a disk of metal or wood, used in some games, as checkers, for marking a player's position or for keeping score.
5.
an imitation coin or token.
6.
a coin; money.
—Idioms
7.
over the counter,
a.
(of the sale of stock) through a broker's office rather than through the stock exchange.
b.
(of the sale of merchandise) through a retail store rather than through a wholesaler.
8.
under the counter, in a clandestine manner, esp. illegally: books sold under the counter.
[Origin: 1300–50; ME countour < AF (OF comptoir) < ML computātorium place for computing, equiv. to L computā(re) to compute+ -tōrium-tory2; cf. count1]
A flat surface on which money is counted, business is transacted, or food is prepared or served.
Games A piece, as of wood or ivory, used for keeping a count or a place.
An imitation coin; a token.
A piece of money.
[Middle English countour, from Anglo-Norman counteour, from Medieval Latin computātōrium, countinghouse, from Latin computāre, to calculate; see count1.]
count·er 3Audio Help (koun'tər) Pronunciation Key
n.
One that counts, especially an electronic or mechanical device that automatically counts occurrences or repetitions of phenomena or events.
1345, "table where a money lender does business," from O.Fr. contouer "counting room, table of a bank," from M.L. computatorium "place of accounts," from L. computare (see compute). Generalized 19c. from banks to shops, then extended to display cases for goods. Phrase under the counter is from 1926.
Main Entry: 1count·er Pronunciation: 'kaunt-&r Function: noun : 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>
Con"tra\ A Latin adverb and preposition, signifying against, contrary, in opposition, etc., entering as a prefix into the composition of many English words. Cf. Counter, adv. & pref.
Con*trol"\, n. [F. contr[^o]le a counter register, contr. fr. contr-r[^o]le; contre (L. contra) + r[^o]le roll, catalogue. See Counter and Roll, and cf. Counterroll.]1. A duplicate book, register, or account, kept to correct or check another account or register; a counter register. [Obs.] --Johnson. 2. That which serves to check, restrain, or hinder; restraint. "Speak without control." --Dryden. 3. Power or authority to check or restrain; restraining or regulating influence; superintendence; government; as, children should be under parental control. The House of Commons should exercise a control over all the departments of the executive administration. --Macaulay. Board of control. See under Board.
Coun"ter\ (koun"t?r-). Note: [See Counter, adv. ] A prefix meaning contrary, opposite, in opposition; as, counteract, counterbalance, countercheck. See Counter, adv. & a.
Coun"ter\ (koun"t?r-). Note: [See Counter, adv. ] A prefix meaning contrary, opposite, in opposition; as, counteract, counterbalance, countercheck. See Counter, adv. & a.
Coun"ter\ (koun"t?r-). Note: [See Counter, adv. ] A prefix meaning contrary, opposite, in opposition; as, counteract, counterbalance, countercheck. See Counter, adv. & a.
Count"er\ (koun"t?r), n. [OE. countere, countour, a counter (in sense 1), OF. contere, conteor, fr. conter to count. See Count, v. t. ]1. One who counts, or reckons up; a calculator; a reckoner. 2. A piece of metal, ivory, wood, or bone, used in reckoning, in keeping account of games, etc. The old gods of our own race whose names . . . serve as counters reckon the days of the week. --E. B. Tylor. What comes the wool to? . . . I can not do it without counters. --Shak. 3. Money; coin; -- used in contempt. [Obs.] To lock such rascal counters from his friends. --Shak. 4. A prison; either of two prisons formerly in London. Anne Aysavugh . . . imprisoned in the Counter. --Fuller. 5. A telltale; a contrivance attached to an engine, printing press, or other machine, for the purpose of counting the revolutions or the pulsations. --Knight.
Coun"ter\, n. [OE. countour, OF. contouer, comptouer, F. comptoir, LL. computatorium, prop., a computing place, place of accounts, fr. L. computare. See Count, v. t.] 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.
Coun"ter\, adv. [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.
Coun"ter\, a. 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.
Coun"ter\, n. [See Counter, adv., Contra.]1. (Naut.) 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.) 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.) The breast, or that part of a horse between the shoulders and under the neck. 4. The back leather or heel part of a boot.
Coun"ter\, n. [See Counter, adv., Contra.]1. (Naut.) 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.) 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.) The breast, or that part of a horse between the shoulders and under the neck. 4. The back leather or heel part of a boot.
Coun"ter*feit\ (koun"t?r-f?t), a. [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.
Coun"ter*poise`\ (koun"t?r-poiz`; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Counterpoised (-poizd`); p. pr. & vb. n. Counterpoising.] [OE. countrepesen, counterpeisen, F. contrepeser. See Counter, adv., and Poise, v. t. ]1. To act against with equal weight; to equal in weight; to balance the weight of; to counterbalance. Weights, 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.
Coun"ter*poise`\ (koun"t?r-poiz`), n. [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; equilibrium; equiponderance. The pendulous round eart, with balanced air, In counterpoise. --Milton.
Coun`ter*prove"\ (koun`t?r-pr??v"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Counterproved (-pr??vd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Counterproving.] 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.
Coun"try\ (k?n"tr?), n.; pl. Countries (-tr?z). [F. contr['e]e, 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. --Macaulay. 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.) 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.
Drain\, n. 1. The act of draining, or of drawing off; gradual and continuous outflow or withdrawal; as, the drain of specie from a country. 2. That means of which anything is drained; a channel; a trench; a water course; a sewer; a sink. 3. pl. The grain from the mashing tub; as, brewers' drains. [Eng.] --Halliwell. Box drain, Counter drain. See under Box, Counter. Right of drain (Law), an easement or servitude by which one man has a right to convey water in pipes through or over the estate of another. --Kent.
En*coun"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Encountered; p. pr. & vb. n. Encountering.] [OF. encontrer; pref. en- (L. in) + contre against, L. contra. See Counter, adv.] To come against face to face; to meet; to confront, either by chance, suddenly, or deliberately; especially, to meet in opposition or with hostile intent; to engage in conflict with; to oppose; to struggle with; as, to encounter a friend in traveling; two armies encounter each other; to encounter obstacles or difficulties, to encounter strong evidence of a truth. Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoics, encountered him. --Acts xvii. 18. I am most fortunate thus accidentally to encounter you. --Shak.
Ex*ten"sion\, n. [L. extensio: cf. F. extension. See Extend, v. t.]1. The act of extending or the state of being extended; a stretching out; enlargement in breadth or continuation of length; increase; augmentation; expansion. 2. (Physics) That property of a body by which it occupies a portion of space. 3. (Logic & Metaph.) Capacity of a concept or general term to include a greater or smaller number of objects; -- correlative of intension. The law is that the intension of our knowledge is in the inverse ratio of its extension. --Sir W. Hamilton. The extension of [the term] plant is greater than that of geranium, because it includes more objects. --Abp. Thomson. 4. (Surg.) The operation of stretching a broken bone so as to bring the fragments into the same straight line. 5. (Physiol.) The straightening of a limb, in distinction from flexion. 6. (Com.) A written engagement on the part of a creditor, allowing a debtor further time to pay a debt. Counter extension. (Surg.) See under Counter. Extension table, a table so constructed as to be readily extended or contracted in length.
Ir"ri*tant\, n. [Cf. F. irritant.]1. That which irritates or excites. 2. (Physiol. & Med.) Any agent by which irritation is produced; as, a chemical irritant; a mechanical or electrical irritant. 3. (Toxicology) A poison that produces inflammation. Counter irritant. See under Counter. Pure irritant (Toxicology), a poison that produces inflammation without any corrosive action upon the tissues.
Coun"ter\, n. Over the counter (Stock Exchanges), in an office; -- said of business so done, as distinguished from that done at an exchange. [Cant] Counterglow \Coun"ter*glow`\, n. (Astron.) 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.
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