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countermand

 - 3 dictionary results

coun⋅ter⋅mand

  [v. koun-ter-mand, -mahnd, koun-ter-mand, -mahnd; n. koun-ter-mand, -mahnd]
–verb (used with object)
1. to revoke or cancel (a command, order, etc.).
2. to recall or stop by a contrary order.
–noun
3. a command, order, etc., revoking a previous one.
Use countermand in a Sentence
Origin:
1375–1425; late ME countermaunden < AF countermander < MF contremander, equiv. to contre- counter- + mander to command < L mandāre; see mandate

Related forms:
coun⋅ter⋅mand⋅a⋅ble, adjective

Synonyms:
1. rescind, abrogate, overrule, recall.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To countermand
coun·ter·mand   (koun'tər-mānd', koun'tər-mānd')   
tr.v.   coun·ter·mand·ed, coun·ter·mand·ing, coun·ter·mands

  1. To cancel or reverse (a previously issued command or order).

  2. To recall by a contrary order: countermanded the air strikes.

n.   (koun'tər-mānd')

  1. An order or command reversing another one.

  2. Cancellation of an order or command.


[Middle English countremaunden, from Old French contremander : contre-, counter- + mander, to command (from Latin mandāre; see man-2 in Indo-European roots).]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

countermand 
1430, from M.Fr. contremander "reverse an order or command," from contre- "against" + mander, from L. mandare "to order" (see mandate).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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