countercheck

American  

[koun-ter-chek, koun-ter-chek] / ˈkaʊn tərˌtʃɛk, ˌkaʊn tərˈtʃɛk /

noun

1. a check that opposes or restrains.

2. a check controlling or confirming another check.

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verb (used with object)

1. to oppose or restrain (a tendency, force, trend, etc.) by contrary action.

2. to control or confirm by a second check.

countercheck British  

noun

1. a check or restraint, esp one that acts in opposition to another

2. a restraint that reinforces another restraint

3. a double check, as for accuracy

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verb

1. to oppose by counteraction

2. to control or restrain by a second check

3. to double-check

Etymology

Origin of countercheck

First recorded in 1550–60; counter- + check ¹

Example Sentences

Comptroller General McCarl has not had authority to check and countercheck the expenditure of Federal emergency appropriations, nor has Budget Director Douglas had power to plan their spending.

From Time Magazine Archive

To have his keys to count and countercheck.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy

But while this game of check and countercheck was being played, the North was becoming more and more impatient and events were rapidly bringing another player to the fore.

From On the Trail of Grant and Lee by Hill, Frederick Trevor

It was not possible more cleverly to meet every difficulty, to countercheck every contingency, than by this subtle scheme.

From My Lords of Strogue Vol. III, (of III) A Chronicle of Ireland, from the Convention to the Union by Wingfield, Lewis

Ne'er shall she come within our palace gate, To countercheck brave Locrine in his love.

From Locrine/Mucedorus by Shakespeare (spurious and doubtful works)

Related Words

• annihilate
• belie
• cancel out
• disallow
• disprove
• invalidate
• neutralize
• nullify
• rebut
• reverse
• undo
• vitiate
• void