counter

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A long, flat surface in a shop, kitchen, or bank where people are served.

   She paid for her groceries at the counter.

2. 2
   noun

   A small object, often a disc, used for counting or as a marker in games.

   He moved his counter forward six spaces on the board.

3. 3
   verb

   To reply or react in order to oppose something.

   She countered his argument with some convincing facts.

4. 4
   adv

   In the opposite direction to something.

   His decision ran counter to everyone's advice.

Inherited from Middle English countour, from Old French conteor (French comptoir), from Medieval Latin computātōrium, from Latin computō, equivalent to count + -er. Doublet of cantore, computer, and kontor.

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