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counter

[koun-ter]

Example Sentences Origin

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noun

a table or display case on which goods can be shown, business transacted, etc.

(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.

a surface for the preparation of food in a kitchen, especially on a low cabinet.

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.

an imitation coin or token.

EXPAND

a coin; money.

COLLAPSE

Idioms

over the counter,

(of the sale of stock) through a broker's office rather than through the stock exchange.

(of the sale of merchandise) through a retail store rather than through a wholesaler.

under the counter, in a clandestine manner, especially illegally: books sold under the counter.

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Counter is always a great word to know.

So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:

an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.

a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.

LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...

Origin:
1300–50; Middle English countour < Anglo-French (Old French comptoir) < Medieval Latin computātorium place for computing, equivalent to Latin computā(re) to compute + -tōrium -tory²; compare count¹

Example Sentences

The general counsel's advice runs counter to a directive issued last fall by the community-college system's lawyer.

The new census data show that little progress is being made to counter this troubling trend.

But some experts counter that much crude remains, out of sight.

EXPAND

The general counsel's advice runs counter to a directive issued last fall by the community-college system's lawyer.

The new census data show that little progress is being made to counter this troubling trend.

But some experts counter that much crude remains, out of sight.

When a player uses one counter to jump another, the latter is removed from the board, as in the game of checkers.

Each time you spray a standard cleaner on your counter you breathe in a fine mist of harmful chemicals.

There was barely room for two stools at the counter end.

They suspect they're getting credit only for round numbers at the prize counter.

Opponents counter that it has created an expensive and time-consuming burden and.

It will counter investors' risk-aversion by reducing the odds of a truly nasty economic meltdown.

To counter attacks on board jetliners, experts have been working to develop other lines of defense.

The advance of science, not the demotion of religion, will best counter the influence of creationism.

They sat down at the whites-only lunch counter and refused to get up.

Lots of brochures from sustainable seafood suppliers and organizations on the counter.

And on top of that, they added a round counter and gave the gun a paint job.

University officials counter that the review revealed no improprieties or financial shortfalls.

The results suggest ants have a kind of inborn pedometer, or step counter.

My guess is that the editorial staff has no interest in comments that run counter to their politics.

Mauritius shopkeepers stand at a counter of jewellike candies.

Choosing at the seafood counter has never been more challenging.

Harrison pays, scrutinizes the receipt, and then picks up her bags and walks over to the customer service counter.

In reaction, a movement sprang up-vitalism-designed to counter this trend and way of thought.

The radioactivity sent a geiger counter buzzing from outside the building.

Critics counter that without demonstrated medical potential, the ethical risks of expanding embryo research are too great.

The idea of fish in pain runs counter to fishing as wholesome family fun.

Stainless steel appliances and a zinc counter add brightness.

The tiny girl was struggling to get some height on a stiff straw while seated at the counter.

The table is made from the same flagstone as the slender serving counter tucked against the wall.

The only food in sight was a little dish of old hard candies on the counter.

After taking them out of oven, slide the parchment off the sheet onto a counter or rack to cool.

The kitchen counter bears ledges to prop up little feet.

With jar lifter, remove jars and set upright on towels on a counter.

In the dining room, a built-in wine cabinet and counter doubles as a buffet.

We chose this pretty green to echo the moss-colored prep counter and the surrounding foliage.

Cookbooks are tucked into the raised portion of the counter that separates the kitchen and the dining space.

See tips below on procuring the sweet meat from a seafood counter or plucking out your own at home.

Give shorter kids a stepladder or stool to stand on at the counter or stove.

Running counter to a national trend, the medical school wants to buy a teaching facility.

The horses develop antibodies to counter the venom and these are used to produce serum for use in humans bitten by snakes.

Antioxidants, abundant in pomegranates, counter free radical damage but may not delay aging.

The next day they were joined by more students at the counter and the following day resulted in an even bigger turn out.

Maybe this will help shorten those long lines at the checkout counter.

Businesses needed to bring more old people and women into jobs, to counter the decline in the working-age population.

The convenience of not having to queue at a counter to.

Administrators counter that the purpose of the program is to measure student satisfaction, not teaching effectiveness.

They don't physically install counter tops because they have the ability to design and they hire people to do manual labor.

The behavior runs counter to common expectations of predator-prey relationships.

Adding aerosols to the atmosphere will not counter global warming in all regions.

Critics counter that tourism is more vital to the national economy than industrialization.

Hence, it was easy to stash on a nightstand or kitchen counter.

To counter the department's proposal, a group of panel members agreed to develop alternative language for consideration.

Without its six fly-bys-which used the gravitational fields of the planets involved to counter that effect.

In order to counter the bad guys, you need to enlist somebody close to them".

The trick in this case is to define what determines an obsession in an early stage and address it with counter reasoning.

The move is part of the company's effort to counter criticisms that it has been environmentally irresponsible.

When counter and cabinet space is limited, install a wall rack or sturdy shelves to make the.

We're glad to see such a forward-thinking authority prepare our nation's troops to counter the next non-existent threat.

I've swallowed my masculine fear of the make-up counter and sought the advice of the women in white coats.

Counter to the prevailing bravado myth, productivity is not a function of how long or torturously you work.

But maybe some patient, objective explanations could counter this perception.

Burst then counter sued and the two companies have been duking it out ever since.

Southwest was so pleased with the outcome, it may use a similar model to study the ticket counter area.

If not then opinions such as yours should be ignored let's see the counter arguments.

The coins in my pocket jangled recklessly, ready to be laid out on the counter.

Don't worry, as food production stagnates and populations grow the cost of excess eating will counter act this trend.

Critics counter that compressing an already packed curriculum would compromise the quality of a medical degree.

As fossil smuggling intensifies, authorities move to counter the trade-with mixed results.

For to every positive action, there will always be a negative reaction try hard to counter the positive effect.

Administrators at well-to-do colleges counter that such efforts take time.

All you have is vitriol to offer, never an actual counter argument.

But for-profit colleges counter that the rule punishes programs for serving a riskier demographic.

Narrating backward increases cognitive load because it runs counter to the natural forward sequencing of events.

But order it from a waiter or at a fish counter these days, and the person next to you might.

It is sold over the counter and is a bit more expensive than other brands, but definitely worth it.

Regarding over the counter prescription buying, people should be allowed to do that.

Look for their blue certification label on fish signs at the market counter and on canned and frozen fish.

Many academic administrators are attempting to counter the trend.

Others counter that tracking mild symptoms is important for preventing their escalation into more severe illness.

With the ready access and the ease of technology people can readily counter the gross popularization of e-opinion.

Also perhaps he could counter our points with some specifics based on his extensive knowledge of the scientific method.

He also stacks his pop cans on the kitchen counter or microwave, five feet away from the mostly empty recycling container.

If it sounds paradoxical, that's because everything about these fish runs counter to reason.

And air pushed out from either side would counter crosswinds, helping to fight sway and jackknifing.

It had more volume and tonal quality than it's original control sounding counter part.

COLLAPSE

Dictionary.com Unabridged

noun

a person who counts.

a device for counting revolutions of a wheel, items produced, etc.

Cards. card counter.

Computers. a storage register or program variable used to tally how often something of interest occurs.

Electronics. scaler (def. 2).

EXPAND

Physics. any of various instruments for detecting ionizing radiation and for registering counts.

COLLAPSE

Compare Geiger counter.

Origin:
1325–75; Middle English countour < Anglo-French (Old French conteor) ≪ Latin computātor, equivalent to computā(re) to compute + -tor -tor

adverb

in the wrong way; contrary to the right course; in the reverse or opposite direction.

contrary; in opposition (usually preceded by run or go): to run counter to the rules.

adjective

opposite; opposed; contrary.

noun

something that is opposite or contrary to something else.

a blow delivered in receiving or parrying another blow, as in boxing.

a statement or action made to refute, oppose, or nullify another statement or action.

Fencing. a circular parry.

a piece of leather or other material inserted between the lining and outside leather of a shoe or boot quarter to keep it stiff.

EXPAND

Nautical. the part of a stern that overhangs and projects aft of the sternpost of a vessel.

10.

Also called void. Typesetting. any part of the face of a type that is less than type-high and is therefore not inked.

11.

Engineering, Building Trades. a truss member subject to stress only under certain partial loadings of the truss.

12.

the part of a horse's breast that lies between the shoulders and under the neck.

COLLAPSE

verb (used with object)

13.

to go counter to; oppose; controvert.

14.

to meet or answer (a move, blow, etc.) by another in return.

verb (used without object)

15.

to make a counter or opposing move.

16.

to give a blow while receiving or parrying one, as in boxing.

Origin:
1400–50; late Middle English countre < Anglo-French co(u)ntre, cuntre, Old French contre < Latin contrā against. See counter-

verb (used with object)

to encounter in opposition or combat.

Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English countren, aphetic variant of acountren < Middle French acontrer. See a-⁵, encounter

a combining form of counter³, used with the meanings “against,” “contrary,” “opposite,” “in opposition or response to” (countermand); “complementary,” “in reciprocation,” “corresponding,” “parallel” (counterfoil; counterbalance); “substitute,” “duplicate” (counterfeit).

Origin:
Middle English countre-; see counter³

verb (used with object)

to check over (the separate units or groups of a collection) one by one to determine the total number; add up; enumerate: He counted his tickets and found he had ten.

to reckon up; calculate; compute.

to list or name the numerals up to: Close your eyes and count ten.

to include in a reckoning; take into account: There are five of us here, counting me.

to reckon to the credit of another; ascribe; impute.

EXPAND

to consider or regard: He counted himself lucky to have survived the crash.

COLLAPSE

verb (used without object)

to count the items of a collection one by one in order to determine the total: She counted three times before she was satisfied that none was missing.

to list or name numerals in order: to count to 100 by fives.

to reckon numerically.

10.

to have a specified numerical value.

11.

to be accounted or worth something: That first try didn't count—I was just practicing.

EXPAND

12.

to have merit, importance, value, etc.; deserve consideration: Every bit of help counts.

13.

to have worth; amount (usually followed by for): Intelligence counts for something.

COLLAPSE

noun

14.

the act of counting; enumeration; reckoning; calculation: A count of hands showed 23 in favor and 16 opposed.

15.

the number representing the result of a process of counting; the total number.

16.

an accounting.

17.

Baseball. the number of balls and strikes, usually designated in that order, that have been called on a batter during a turn at bat: a count of two balls and one strike.

18.

Law. a distinct charge or theory of action in a declaration or indictment: He was found guilty on two counts of theft.

EXPAND

19.

Textiles.

a number representing the size or quality of yarn, especially the number based on the relation of weight to length of the yarn and indicating its degree of coarseness.

the number of warp and filling threads per square inch in woven material, representing the texture of the fabric.

20.

Bowling. the number of pins struck down by the first ball rolled by a bowler in the frame following a spare and included in the score for the frame in which the spare was made.

21.

Physics.

a single ionizing reaction registered by an ionization chamber, as in a Geiger counter.

the indication of the total number of ionizing reactions registered by an ionization chamber in a given period of time.

22.

Archaic. regard; notice.

23.

the count, Boxing. the calling aloud by the referee of the seconds from 1 to 10 while a downed boxer remains off his feet. Completion of the count signifies a knockout, which the referee then declares: A hard right sent the challenger down for the count. Also called the full count.

COLLAPSE

adjective

24.

noting a number of items determined by an actual count: The box is labeled 50 count.

Verb phrases

25.

count down, to count backward, usually by ones, from a given integer to zero.

26.

count in, to include: If you're going to the beach, count me in.

27.

count off, (often used imperatively, as in the army) to count aloud by turns, as to arrange positions within a group of persons; divide or become divided into groups: Close up ranks and count off from the left by threes.

28.

count on/upon, to depend or rely on: You can always count on him to lend you money.

29.

count out,

Boxing. to declare (a boxer) a loser because of inability to stand up before the referee has counted 10 seconds.

to exclude: When it comes to mountain climbing, count me out.

to count and apportion or give out: She counted out four cookies to each child.

to disqualify (ballots) illegally in counting, in order to control the election.

Idiom

30.

count coup. coup¹ (def. 4).

Origin:
1275–1325; (v.) Middle English counten < Anglo-French c(o)unter, Old French conter < Latin computāre to compute; (noun) Middle English counte < Anglo-French c(o)unte, Old French conte < Late Latin computus calculation, reckoning, noun derivative of computāre

Related forms

half-count·ed, adjective

Link To counter

Collins

World English Dictionary

counter¹ (ˈkaʊntə)

—n
1.	a horizontal surface, as in a shop or bank, over which business is transacted
2.	(in some cafeterias) a long table on which food is served to customers
3.	a. a small flat disc of wood, metal, or plastic, used in various board games
	b. a similar disc or token used as an imitation coin
4.	a person or thing that may be used or manipulated
5.	a skating figure consisting of three circles
6.	(under-the-counter when prenominal) under the counter (of the sale of goods, esp goods in short supply) clandestine, surreptitious, or illegal; not in an open manner
7.	(over-the-counter when prenominal) over the counter (of security transactions) through a broker rather than on a stock exchange

[C14: from Old French comptouer, ultimately from Latin computāre to compute]

counter² (ˈkaʊntə)

—n
1.	a person who counts
2.	an apparatus that records the number of occurrences of events
3.	Geiger counter scintillation counter See crystal counter any instrument for detecting or counting ionizing particles or photons
4.	electronics another name for scaler

[C14: from Old French conteor, from Latin computātor; see count¹]

counter³ (ˈkaʊntə)

—*adv*
1.	in a contrary direction or manner
2.	in a wrong or reverse direction
3.	run counter to to have a contrary effect or action to

—*adj*
4.	opposing; opposite; contrary

—n
5.	something that is contrary or opposite to some other thing
6.	an act, effect, or force that opposes another
7.	a return attack, such as a blow in boxing
8.	fencing a parry in which the foils move in a circular fashion
9.	the portion of the stern of a boat or ship that overhangs the water aft of the rudder
10.	printing Also called: void the inside area of a typeface that is not type high, such as the centre of an "o", and therefore does not print
11.	the part of a horse's breast under the neck and between the shoulders
12.	a piece of leather forming the back of a shoe

—vb
13.	to say or do (something) in retaliation or response
14.	(tr) to move, act, or perform in a manner or direction opposite to (a person or thing)
15.	to return the attack of (an opponent)

[C15: from Old French contre, from Latin contrā against]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source

Etymonline

Word Origin & History

count

"title of nobility," mid-13c., from O.Fr. conte, from L. comitem (nom. comes) "companion, attendant," the Roman term for a provincial governor, from com- "with" + ire "go." The Anglo-Norm. term was used to render O.E. eorl, but the word was never truly naturalized and was mainly used with reference to

EXPAND

foreign titles.

counter

mid-14c., "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. Countertop

is attested from 1878. Phrase under the counter is from 1926.

counter

"go against," early 14c., from O.Fr. countre "facing opposite" (see counter-).

counter-

prefix meaning "against, in return," from Anglo-Fr. countre-, Fr. contre-, from L. contra "opposite, contrary to, against, in return," also used as a prefix (see contra-)

COLLAPSE

American Heritage

Medical Dictionary

count (kount)
v. count·ed, count·ing, counts
To name or list the units of a group or collection one by one in order to determine a total. n.

The act of counting or calculating.
The totality of specific items in a particular sample.

counter count·er (koun'tər)
n.
One that counts, especially an electronic or mechanical device that automatically counts occurrences or repetitions of phenomena or events.

counter- pref.

Contrary; opposite; opposing: countertransport.
Corresponding; complementary: counterincision.

American Heritage

Idioms & Phrases

counter

see run counter to; under the counter.

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