Counter (kount&etilde_;r), n. [OE. countere, countour, a counter (in sense 1), OF. contere, conteor, fr. conter to count. See Count, v. t. ] 1. One who counts, or reckons up; a calculator; a reckoner.
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2. A piece of metal, ivory, wood, or bone, used in reckoning, in keeping account of games, etc.
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The old gods of our own race whose names . . . serve as counters reckon the days of the week. E. B. Tylor.
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What comes the wool to? . . . I can not do it without counters. Shak.
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3. Money; coin; -- used in contempt. [Obs.]
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To lock such rascal counters from his friends. Shak.
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4. A prison; either of two prisons formerly in London.
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Anne Aysavugh . . . imprisoned in the Counter. Fuller.
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5. A telltale; a contrivance attached to an engine, printing press, or other machine, for the purpose of counting the revolutions or the pulsations. Knight.
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Counter, adv. [F. contre, fr. L. contra against. Cf. Contra-.] 1. Contrary; in opposition; in an opposite direction; contrariwise; -- used chiefly with run or go.
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Running counter to all the rules of virtue. Locks.
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2. In the wrong way; contrary to the right course; as, a hound that runs counter.
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This is counter, you false Danish dogs! Shak.
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3. At or against the front or face. [R.]
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Which [darts] they never throw counter, but at the back of the flier. Sandys.
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Counter, n. [See Counter, adv., Contra.] 1. (Naut.) The after part of a vessel's body, from the water line to the stern, -- below and somewhat forward of the stern proper.
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2. (Mus.) Same as Contra. Formerly used to designate any under part which served for contrast to a principal part, but now used as equivalent to counter tenor.
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3. (Far.) The breast, or that part of a horse between the shoulders and under the neck.
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4. The back leather or heel part of a boot.
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Counter, v. i. (Boxing) To return a blow while receiving one, as in boxing.
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His left hand countered provokingly. C. Kingsley.
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