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countersign

 - 3 dictionary results

coun⋅ter⋅sign

[n., v. koun-ter-sahyn; v. also -koun-ter-sahyn]
–noun
1. a sign used in reply to another sign.
2. Military. a secret sign that must be given by authorized persons seeking admission through a guarded area.
3. a signature added to another signature, esp. for authentication.
–verb (used with object)
4. to sign (a document that has been signed by someone else), esp. in confirmation or authentication.

Origin:
1585–95; counter- + sign, modeled on MF contresigne, or its source, OIt contrasegno
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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coun·ter·sign   (koun'tər-sīn')   
tr.v.   coun·ter·signed, coun·ter·sign·ing, coun·ter·signs
To sign (a previously signed document), as for authentication.
n.  
  1. A second or confirming signature, as on a previously signed document. Also called countersignature.

    1. A sign or signal to be given to a sentry in order to obtain passage; a password.

    2. A secret sign or signal given in answer to another.

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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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: coun·ter·sign
Pronunciation: 'kaun-t&r-"sIn
Function: noun
: a signature attesting the authenticity of a document already signed by another
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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