counterchargen.
/ˈkaʊntəˌtʃɑːdʒ/ A charge brought in opposition to another, or against the accuser.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > answer > [noun] > an answer, response > in defence > in response to a charge
answerOE
replication1587
back-racket1608
countercharge1706
society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > accusation, allegation, or indictment > [noun] > a charge, accusation, or allegation > countercharge
countercharge1706
1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) Counter-charge, a Charge brought against an Accuser.
1721 in N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict.
1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. II. xii. 129 Now comes the accused, with defence and countercharge.
1871 F. W. Farrar Witness of Hist. iv. 135 (note) The idleness of such charges may be measured by the countercharge of Celsus.
Draft additions September 2008
A battle charge made in response to a charge by the enemy. Now chiefly historical.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > attack > charge > [noun] > renewed or return charge
recharge1575
countercharge1835
1835 R. Chambers Biogr. Dict. Eminent Scotsmen I. 7 The gallant general Sir John Moore led his brigade here to the charge in person, which was met by a counter charge on the part of the enemy.
1870 J. E. Cooke Hammer & Rapier ii. 57 The Louisianians again advance before the guns can be turned on them; make a furious countercharge, and the second time the guns are taken by them.
1941 S. F. Horn Army of Tennessee xvii. 357 This tornado of gunfire, in conjunction with the countercharge of Logan's infantry, forced the Confederates back to their original position, badly punished.
1974 J. A. Michener Centennial iv. 162 The Pawnee reacted..with a countercharge of their own.
2002 C. Leuchars To Bitter End xviii. 175 The countercharge by the Brazilians caused a fierce battle between the two cavalry units.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1893; most recently modified version published online September 2019).
counterchargev.
/ˌkaʊntəˈtʃɑːdʒ/ transitive.† b. To oppose with a contrary charge or injunction. Obsolete.
a. To bring a charge against (an accuser).
ΚΠ
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Contrecharger, to countercharge; to interchange burthens, or accusations.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > refutation, disproof > refute, disprove [verb (transitive)] > by counter-charge
answerOE
returna1500
retort?1542
reject1553
recharge1566
contort?1567
invert1584
reband1588
recriminate1603
rebut1624
countercharge1626
occur1660
counterprove1679
1626 Bp. J. Hall Contempl. VIII. O.T. xxi. 552 If a Persian law might not be reuersed, yet it might be countercharged.
c. To charge contrariwise.
ΚΠ
1883 Longman's Mag. III. 183 Interested..in the passing topics of the hour..no less than in the larger concerns that countercharge our lives.
Draft additions September 2008
transitive. To make a return charge on (an enemy or attack) during a battle. Also intransitive. Now chiefly historical.
ΚΠ
1822 T. Cromwell Oliver Cromwell & his Times (ed. 2) iv. 133 The Prince repelled and countercharged this attack of his enemies with very signal success.
1848 T. De Quincey Wks. A. Pope in N. Brit. Rev. Aug. 326 Like cavalry..charging and counter-charging through and through each other.
1896 Times 9 Sept. 4/4 The enemy,..in turn, counter-charged them.
1940 Pennsylvania (Writers' Program) iii. viii. 445 Horsemen charged and countercharged along the town's streets.
2003 Washington Post (Nexis) 15 Nov. b3 Charging up the farm lane, his band closed to within 50 yards of the gun when it was swept by a round of canister and countercharged by Mosby.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1893; most recently modified version published online September 2019).
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n.1706v.1611