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countermand

[ verb koun-ter-mand, -mahnd, koun-ter-mand, -mahnd; noun koun-ter-mand, -mahnd ]
/ verb ˌkaʊn tərˈmænd, -ˈmɑnd, ˈkaʊn tərˌmænd, -ˌmɑnd; noun ˈkaʊn tərˌmænd, -ˌmɑnd /
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verb (used with object)
to revoke or cancel (a command, order, etc.).
to recall or stop by a contrary order.
noun
a command, order, etc., revoking a previous one.
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Origin of countermand

1375–1425; late Middle English countermaunden<Anglo-French countermander<Middle French contremander, equivalent to contre-counter- + mander to command <Latin mandāre;see mandate

OTHER WORDS FROM countermand

coun·ter·mand·a·ble, adjectiveun·coun·ter·mand·a·ble, adjectiveun·coun·ter·mand·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use countermand in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for countermand

countermand

verb (ˌkaʊntəˈmɑːnd) (tr)
to revoke or cancel (a command, order, etc)
to order (forces, etc) to return or retreat; recall
noun (ˈkaʊntəˌmɑːnd)
a command revoking another

Word Origin for countermand

C15: from Old French contremander, from contre- counter- + mander to command, from Latin mandāre; see mandate
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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