countersign

American  

[koun-ter-sahyn, koun-ter-sahyn] / ˈkaʊn tərˌsaɪn, ˌkaʊn tərˈsaɪn /

noun

1. a sign used in reply to another sign.

2. Military. a secret sign that must be given by authorized persons seeking admission through a guarded area.

3. a signature added to another signature, especially for authentication.

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verb (used with object)

1. to sign (a document that has been signed by someone else), especially in confirmation or authentication.

countersign British  

verb

1. (tr) to sign (a document already signed by another)

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noun

1. Also called: countersignature.  the signature so written

2. a secret sign given in response to another sign

3. military a password

Etymology

Origin of countersign

1585–95; counter- + sign, modeled on Middle French contresigne, or its source, Old Italian contrasegno

Example Sentences

It was to Mr. Badinter that Mr. Mitterrand turned in 1984 to countersign, in strict secrecy, the document in which the president recognized Mazarine Pingeot, his daughter from an adulterous relationship.

From New York Times • Feb. 9, 2024

A pub licensee was also found to countersign the application.

From BBC • Jan. 11, 2023

Fourteen men suspected of receiving the passports or helping to countersign documents were arrested in Kent, Essex and Merseyside.

From BBC • Oct. 11, 2021

Education cannot live under any hermetic seal, but only under the countersign of man's nature and destiny.

From Time Magazine Archive

‘Me Know You,’Johnny repeated this countersign and took his place behind Mr. Revere.

From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes