counter
♦ coun|ter /k'aʊntər/ (counters countering countered)
1 [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...
2 [VERB] V n, V by -ing
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.
The leadership discussed a plan of economic measures to counter the effects of such a blockade...
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] V n, V with n, V by -ing, V with quote, also V that
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.
Both of them had to counter fierce criticism...
The union countered with letters rebutting the company's claims...
The Prime Minister countered by stating that he had grave misgivings about the advice he had been given...
`But Peter, it's not that simple,' Goldstone countered in a firm voice.
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 an LED display call counter.
6 [N-COUNT]
A counter is a small, flat, round object used in board games.
7
see also bargaining counter, bean counter, rev counter, rev counter
8 [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. (BUSINESS)
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 agriculture and environmental policy...
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.bar|gain|ing coun|ter (bargaining counters)
[N-COUNT]
A bargaining counter is the same as a bargaining chip. (BRIT)bean coun|ter (bean counters)
also bean-counter
[N-COUNT]
You can describe people such as accountants and business managers as bean counters if you disapprove of them because you think they are only interested in money.
...bean counters who tend to focus on controlling expenses.Geiger coun|ter /g'aɪgər kaʊntər/ (Geiger counters)
[N-COUNT]
A Geiger counter is a device which finds and measures radioactivity.lunch coun|ter (lunch counters)
[N-COUNT]
A lunch counter is an informal café or a counter in a shop where people can buy and eat meals. (AM)rev coun|ter
[N-SING]
A rev counter is an instrument in a car or an aeroplane which shows the speed of the engine. (BRIT)
= tachometer
1 [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...
2 [VERB] V n, V by -ing
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.
The leadership discussed a plan of economic measures to counter the effects of such a blockade...
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] V n, V with n, V by -ing, V with quote, also V that
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.
Both of them had to counter fierce criticism...
The union countered with letters rebutting the company's claims...
The Prime Minister countered by stating that he had grave misgivings about the advice he had been given...
`But Peter, it's not that simple,' Goldstone countered in a firm voice.
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 an LED display call counter.
6 [N-COUNT]
A counter is a small, flat, round object used in board games.
7
see also bargaining counter, bean counter, rev counter, rev counter
8 [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. (BUSINESS)
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 agriculture and environmental policy...
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.bar|gain|ing coun|ter (bargaining counters)
[N-COUNT]
A bargaining counter is the same as a bargaining chip. (BRIT)bean coun|ter (bean counters)
also bean-counter
[N-COUNT]
You can describe people such as accountants and business managers as bean counters if you disapprove of them because you think they are only interested in money.
...bean counters who tend to focus on controlling expenses.Geiger coun|ter /g'aɪgər kaʊntər/ (Geiger counters)
[N-COUNT]
A Geiger counter is a device which finds and measures radioactivity.lunch coun|ter (lunch counters)
[N-COUNT]
A lunch counter is an informal café or a counter in a shop where people can buy and eat meals. (AM)rev coun|ter
[N-SING]
A rev counter is an instrument in a car or an aeroplane which shows the speed of the engine. (BRIT)
= tachometer