- counter
- [[t]ka͟ʊntə(r)[/t]]
♦♦♦counters, countering, countered1) N-COUNT In a place such as a shop or café, a counter is a long narrow table or flat surface at which customers are served.
...those fellows we see working behind the counter at our local video rental store.
...the cosmetics counter...
We were sitting on stools at the counter having coffee.
2) VERB If you do something to counter a particular action or process, you do something which has an opposite effect to it or makes it less effective.[V n] The leadership discussed a plan of economic measures to counter the effects of such a blockade...
[V n] Congestion could be countered by persuading more drivers to get on their bikes...
[V by -ing] Sears then countered by filing an antitrust lawsuit.
3) N-SING: a N to n Something that is a counter to something else has an opposite effect to it or makes it less effective....NATO's traditional role as a counter to the military might of the Warsaw pact.
4) VERB If you counter something that someone has said, you say something which shows that you disagree with them or which proves that they are wrong.[V n] Both of them had to counter fierce criticism by the Moscow intellectuals...
[V with n] The union countered with letters rebutting the company's claims...
[V by -ing] The Prime Minister countered by stating that he had grave misgivings about the advice he had been given...
[V with quote] `But Peter, it's not that simple,' Goldstone countered in a frim voice. [Also V that]
5) N-COUNT: usu supp N A counter is a mechanical or electronic device which keeps a count of something and displays the total....an answerphone with one-touch playback and LED display call counter.
6) N-COUNT A counter is a small, flat, round object used in board games.7) → See also , bean counter, , rev counter8) PHRASE If a medicine can be bought over the counter, you do not need a prescription to buy it.Are you taking any other medicines whether on prescription or bought over the counter?
...basic over-the-counter remedies.
9) PHRASE: usu PHR n Over-the-counter shares are bought and sold directly rather than on a stock exchange.10) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR to n If one thing runs counter to another, or if one thing is counter to another, the first thing is the opposite of the second thing or conflicts with it. [FORMAL]Much of the plan runs counter to European Community agriculture and environmental policy...
The finding ran counter to all expectations.
...the introduction of social legislation in Europe, which is counter to American practice.
11) PHRASE: PHR after v If someone buys or sells goods under the counter, they buy or sell them secretly and illegally.The smugglers allegedly sold the gold under the counter, cheating the VAT man out of ₤5 million.
English dictionary. 2008.
