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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)

98,828 entries. Headwords are matched first, then definition text.

413 words match “COUNTER”

COUNTER n. 17 definitions

A prefix meaning contrary, opposite, in opposition; as, counteract, counterbalance, countercheck. See Counter, adv. & a.

COUNTER BRACE n. 2 definitions

The brace of the fore-topsail on the leeward side of a vessel.

COUNTER TENOR n.

One of the middle parts in music, between the tenor and the treble; high tenor. Counter-tenor clef (Mus.), the C clef when placed on the third line; -- also called alto clef.

COUNTER WEIGHT n.

A counterpoise.

COUNTER-COMPONY a.

COUNTER-COUCHANT a.

Lying down, with their heads in opposite directions; -- said of animals borne in a coat of arms.

COUNTER-COURANT a.

Running in opposite directions; -- said of animals borne in a coast of arms.

COUNTER-PALY a.

swise, so that each vertical piece is cut into two, having the colors used alternately or counterchanged. Thus the escutcheon in the illustration may also be blazoned paly of six per fess counterchanged argent and azure.

COUNTER-ROLL n.

A duplicate roll (record or account) kept by an officer as a check upon another officer's roll. Burrill.

COUNTER-SALIENT a.

Leaping from each other; -- said of two figures on a coast of arms.

n opposition to; to hinder, defeat, or frustrate, by contrary agency or influence; as, to counteract the effect of medicines; to counteract good advice.

COUNTERACTION n.

Action in opposition; hindrance resistance. [They] do not . . . overcome the counteraction of a false principle or of stubborn partiality. Johnson.

COUNTERACTIVE a. 2 definitions

Tending to counteract.

COUNTERACTIVELY adv.

By counteraction.

COUNTERBALANCE v. 4 definitions

To oppose with an equal weight or power; to counteract the power or effect of; to countervail; to equiponderate; to balance. The remaining air was not able to counterbalance the mercurial cylinder. Boyle. The cstudy of mind is necessary to counterbalance and correct the influence of the study of nature. Sir W. Hamilton…

COUNTERBORE v. 3 definitions

To form a counterbore in, by boring, turning, or drilling; to enlarge, as a hole, by means of a counterbore.

COUNTERBRACE v. 2 definitions

To brace in opposite directions; as, to counterbrace the yards, i. e., to brace the head yards one way and the after yards another.

COUNTERBUFF v. 2 definitions

To strike or drive back or in an opposite direction; to stop by a blow or impulse in front. Dryden.

A trick; a delusive contrivance. [Obs.] Spenser.

COUNTERCASTER n.

A caster of accounts; a reckoner; a bookkeeper; -- used conteptuously.