counter
1a 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 about 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
1Words Nearby counter
Other definitions for counter (2 of 5)
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
2Other definitions for counter (3 of 5)
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.
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.
to go counter to; oppose; controvert.
to meet or answer (a move, blow, etc.) by another in return.
to make a counter or opposing move.
to give a blow while receiving or parrying one, as in boxing.
Origin of counter
3Other definitions for counter (4 of 5)
to encounter in opposition or combat.
Origin of counter
4Other definitions for counter- (5 of 5)
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 of counter-
5Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use counter in a sentence
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 | VoxThere 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 | FreakonomicsErnie 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.
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 OnlineReinoehl 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
When Chérif got out of prison, he worked at the fish counter of a supermarket.
This led to the formation of a Christian militant group to counter the rebels, and all-out sectarian violence exploded.
It seemed gratuitous and counter-intuitive in a story that had already inflicted more than enough suffering.
Then the sun went down and the anger came back as a “Thank You NYPD” rally traded insults with counter-protestors.
If you need to store the bottle in the fridge, let it warm up for a few minutes on the counter before serving.
On to Gaba Tepe just in time to see the opening, the climax and the end of the dreaded Turkish counter attack.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian HamiltonOur beloved Queen had drawn the teeth of the Turkish counter-attack on our extreme left.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian HamiltonThereupon, I gave the word for a general counter-attack and our line began to advance.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian HamiltonThe handkerchief glimmered on the counter, more white than anything else in that grey dusk.
Hilda Lessways | Arnold BennettShe preceded him along a passage and then, taking a door on the left, found herself surprisingly in the shop, behind a counter.
Hilda Lessways | Arnold Bennett
British Dictionary definitions for counter (1 of 4)
/ (ˈkaʊntə) /
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
Origin of counter
1British Dictionary definitions for counter (2 of 4)
/ (ˈkaʊntə) /
in a contrary direction or manner
in a wrong or reverse direction
run counter to to have a contrary effect or action to
opposing; opposite; contrary
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
fencing a 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: void printing the 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
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)
Origin of counter
2British Dictionary definitions for counter (3 of 4)
/ (ˈkaʊntə) /
a person who counts
an apparatus that records the number of occurrences of events
any instrument for detecting or counting ionizing particles or photons: See Geiger counter, scintillation counter, crystal counter
electronics another name for scaler (def. 2)
Origin of counter
3British Dictionary definitions for counter- (4 of 4)
against; opposite; contrary: counterattack
complementary; corresponding: counterfoil
duplicate or substitute: counterfeit
Origin of counter-
4Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with counter
see run counter to; under the counter.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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