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.
a coin; money.
Idioms for counter
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.
Origin of counter
1
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English countour, from Anglo-French (Old French comptoir ), from Medieval Latin computātorium “place for computing,” equivalent to Latin computā(re) “to think, calculate” + -tōrium noun suffix; see compute, -tory2; cf. count1
a device for counting revolutions of a wheel, items produced, etc.
a person who counts.
Cards. card counter.
Computers. a storage register or program variable used to tally how often something of interest occurs.
Electronics. scaler (def. 2).
Physics. any of various instruments for detecting ionizing radiation and for registering counts.See also Geiger counter.
Origin of counter
2
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English countour, from Anglo-French (Old French conteor ), ultimately derived from Latin computātor, equivalent to computā(re) “to think, calculate” + -tor noun suffix; see compute, -tor
Definition for counter (3 of 5)
counter3
[ koun-ter ]
/ ˈkaʊn tər /
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; contrary; opposed.
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.
Nautical. the part of a stern that overhangs and projects aft of the sternpost of a vessel.
Also called void. Typesetting. any part of the face of a type that is less than type-high and is therefore not inked.
Engineering, Building Trades. a truss member subject to stress only under certain partial loadings of the truss.
the part of a horse's breast that lies between the shoulders and under the neck.
verb (used with object)
to go counter to; oppose; controvert.
to meet or answer (a move, blow, etc.) by another in return.
verb (used without object)
to make a counter or opposing move.
to give a blow while receiving or parrying one, as in boxing.
Origin of counter
3
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English countre, from Anglo-French co(u)ntre, cuntre,Old French contre, from Latin contrā “against”; see counter-
Definition for counter (4 of 5)
counter4
[ koun-ter ]
/ ˈkaʊn tər /
verb (used with object)
to encounter in opposition or combat.
Origin of counter
4
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English countren, aphetic variant of acountren, from Middle French acontrer; see a-5, encounter
Definition for counter (5 of 5)
counter-
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).
Officials countered the claim, saying they tended to Taylor as soon as they could, though they didn’t initially know she was injured since everything happened in the dark.
The policing reforms in the Breonna Taylor settlement, explained|Fabiola Cineas|September 17, 2020|Vox
There are, of course, counter-arguments to what Robinson is saying here.
Does Anyone Really Know What Socialism Is? (Ep. 408 Rebroadcast)|Stephen J. Dubner|September 17, 2020|Freakonomics
Ernie Herrman, TJX chief Retailers are also planning online promotions early in the season in an attempt to counter Amazon’s Prime Day, which is usually held in July but has been pushed back until the fourth quarter this year.
Retail Jingle Bells to Ring Longer Than Ever Before|Charu Kasturi|September 9, 2020|Ozy
What we have, I learn, is a late-season, last-minute, over-the-counter, nonresident, archery-only antlered-deer tag on public land.
Instagram's Most Fascinating Subculture? Women Hunters.|Rachel Levin|September 8, 2020|Outside Online
Reinoehl had described himself in a social media posts as "100% ANTIFA" and suggested the tactics of counter-protesters amounted to "warfare," per the AP.
Portland shooting suspect Michael Forest Reinoehl killed by officers|Axios|September 4, 2020|Axios
This led to the formation of a Christian militant group to counter the rebels, and all-out sectarian violence exploded.
The Year’s Most Forgotten Humanitarian Crisis|Nina Strochlic|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
If you need to store the bottle in the fridge, let it warm up for a few minutes on the counter before serving.
Champagne: You’re Drinking It All Wrong|Kayleigh Kulp|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Even local chickens were more expensive than in the summer, Smirnova and another woman at the counter complained.
How Crimea Crashed the Russian Economy|Anna Nemtsova|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sensing his opportunity, Joey Biden pounced: “I walked up behind him and smashed his head next to the counter.”
Joe Biden: ‘I’ll Kill Your Son’|Olivia Nuzzi|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The further forward bare-boned science goes, however, the more forceful the counter- response.
Honey Boo Boo, Snake Oil, and Ebola: The Weird World of Young Living Essential Oils|Kent Sepkowitz|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Mrs. Schotz had gone back to the counter with the toys the stranger sought.
The Toy Shop|Margarita Spalding Gerry
Saxham, leaving a banknote lying on the counter, wheeled abruptly, and went out of the bar.
The Dop Doctor|Clotilde Inez Mary Graves
At one end of the low-ceiled apartment are busy clerks behind a counter, alert and cheerful.
A Little Journey in the World|Charles Dudley Warner
Then lazily reaching over toward Harold, he took him by the arm and drew him toward the counter.
Fort Lafayette or, Love and Secession|Benjamin Wood
I stood at the counter while Madame Lourbet served a customer, and then she turned to me.
The Betrayal of John Fordham|B.L. (Benjamin Leopold) Farjeon
British Dictionary definitions for counter (1 of 4)
counter1
/ (ˈkaʊntə) /
noun
a horizontal surface, as in a shop or bank, over which business is transacted
(in some cafeterias) a long table on which food is served to customers
a small flat disc of wood, metal, or plastic, used in various board games
a similar disc or token used as an imitation coin
a person or thing that may be used or manipulated
a skating figure consisting of three circles
under the counter(under-the-counter when prenominal)(of the sale of goods, esp goods in short supply) clandestine, surreptitious, or illegal; not in an open manner
over the counter(over-the-counter when prenominal)(of security transactions) through a broker rather than on a stock exchange
Word Origin for counter
C14: from Old French comptouer, ultimately from Latin computāre to compute
British Dictionary definitions for counter (2 of 4)
counter2
/ (ˈkaʊntə) /
adverb
in a contrary direction or manner
in a wrong or reverse direction
run counter toto have a contrary effect or action to
adjective
opposing; opposite; contrary
noun
something that is contrary or opposite to some other thing
an act, effect, or force that opposes another
a return attack, such as a blow in boxing
fencinga parry in which the foils move in a circular fashion
the portion of the stern of a boat or ship that overhangs the water aft of the rudder
Also called: voidprintingthe inside area of a typeface that is not type high, such as the centre of an "o", and therefore does not print
the part of a horse's breast under the neck and between the shoulders
a piece of leather forming the back of a shoe
verb
to say or do (something) in retaliation or response
(tr)to move, act, or perform in a manner or direction opposite to (a person or thing)
to return the attack of (an opponent)
Word Origin for counter
C15: from Old French contre, from Latin contrā against
British Dictionary definitions for counter (3 of 4)
counter3
/ (ˈkaʊntə) /
noun
a person who counts
an apparatus that records the number of occurrences of events
any instrument for detecting or counting ionizing particles or photonsSee Geiger counter, scintillation counter, crystal counter
electronics another name for scaler (def. 2)
Word Origin for counter
C14: from Old French conteor, from Latin computātor; see count1
British Dictionary definitions for counter (4 of 4)
counter-
prefix
against; opposite; contrarycounterattack
complementary; correspondingcounterfoil
duplicate or substitutecounterfeit
Word Origin for counter-
via Norman French from Latin contrā against, opposite; see contra-