counter-raguled 
counter-raguled (koun " ter- rag -uld'), a. In 
It rr., raguled on the opposite side also. 
counter-rampant (koun-ter-ram'pant), a. [= 
F. oontre-rampant,} In her., rampant in oppo- 
site directions : said of animals used as bear- 
ings. It is more usual to describe two animals counter- 
rampant as rampant cotnbattant or rampant a/ronte 
wheti represented face to face, and rampant indorsed 
when back to back. 
counter-reflected (koun"ter-re-flek'ted), a. In 
her., turned in contrary directions each from 
the other. 
Counter-remonstrant (koun ' ter - re - mon "- 
strant), n. Same as Antiremonstrant. 
counter-revolution (koun'ter-rev-o-lu"shon), 
n. [= F. contre-recotution = Sp. contra-revolu- 
cion = It. contra-rivolusione; as counter- + revo- 
lution.'] A revolution opposed to a preceding 
one, and seeking to restore a former state of 
things. 
counter-revolutionary (koun * ter- rev- o -lu'- 
shon-a-ri), a. Pertaining to a counter-revolu- 
tion. 
counter -revolutionist (koun ' ter - re v - o - lu '- 
shon-ist), n. One engaged in or advocating a 
counter-re volution . 
counterfoil (koun'ter-rol), n. [< counter- + 
roll, repr. OF. contrcrole : see control.] In old 
Eng. law, a counterpart or copy of the rolls 
relating to appeals, inquests, etc., kept by an 
officer as a check upon another officer's roll. 
counterrolmentt (koun'ter-rol-ment), . [Also 
contrarolincnt ; < counterroll + -meat.} A coun- 
ter-account. 
counter-round (koun'ter-round), n. [= F. con- 
tre-ronde = Sp. contrarronda, Pg. contraronda; 
as counter- + round 2 , .] Milit., a body of offi- 
cers going the rounds to inspect sentinels. 
counter-salient (koun-ter-sa'li-ent), a. In her., 
salient in opposite directions. 
countersayt, " t. [ME. countreseggen ; < coun- 
ter- + say! (after L. contradicerc : see contra- 
dict).'] To contradict. 
Ac ich countresetjge the nat, Cleregie, ne thy connynge, 
Scripture ; 
That ho so doth by goure doctrine doth wel, ich leyue. 
Piers Plow>nan(V), xii. 224. 
counter scalet (koun' ter-skal), n. A counterbal- 
ance; comparison. [Rare.] 
To compare their University to yours, were to cast New- 
Inn in counterscale with Christ-Church College. 
Howell, Letters, I. i. 8. 
COUnter-SCallOped (koun-ter-skol'opt), a. In 
her., same as cucalloped. 
COUnterscarf (koun' ter -skarf), n. Same as 
counterscarp. 
counterscarp (koun'ter-skarp), n. [= F. con- 
trescarpe = Pg. It. contrascarpa ; as counter- + 
scarp.] In fort., the exterior talus or slope of 
the ditch, or the talus that supports the earth of 
the covered way. It often signifies the whole covered 
way, with its parapet and glacis, as when it is said that 
the enemy have lodged themselves on the counterscarp. 
Wee placed a great watch in that way, which was cou- 
ered with a counterscharfe. Hakluyt's Voyages, II. 122. 
Counterscarp gallery, a framework covered with a 
sheeting, within the counterscarp at the salients, the en- 
trance being by a narrow door. Counterscarp wall, 
the revetment of the counterscarp, generally made of 
stone or brick, but sometimes of timber. 
counter-scuffle (koun'ter-skuf-1), n. A scuffle 
on equal terms ; a balanced contest. 
A terrible counter-scujfle between them and their lusts. 
Hewyt, Sermons, p. 97. 
counter-sea (koun'ter-se), n. The disturbed 
state of the sea after a gale, when, the wind 
having changed, the sea still runs in its old di- 
rection. 
counterseal (koun-ter-sel'), v. t. [= F. contre- 
sceller = Sp. Pg. contrasellar ; as counter- + 
seat*, v.~\ To seal mutually or in addition; 
seal with another or others. 
You shall bear 
A better witness back than words, which we, 
On like conditions, will have counter-seal'd. 
Shale., Cor., v. 3. 
counter-seal (koun'ter-sel), n. [= F. contre- 
scel = It. contrasigillo, < ML. contrasigillum, < 
L. contra, against, + sigillum, seal: see counter- 
and seal 2 , .] The reverse side of a seal. In the 
middle ages and later the wax seals appended to docu- 
ments were solid cakes showing both sides, and each side 
was impressed, the obverse having the effigy, and the 
reverse, or counter-seal, usually a coat of arms and motto. 
See the extract. 
The Great Seals have each of them two distinct designs. 
In one the Sovereign is represented on horseback, and in 
the other as enthroned. The mounted figures appear al- 
ways to have been regarded as the obverse, or Seal, and 
the enthroned as the reverse, or Counter-seal. 
C. Boutell, Heraldry, p. 394. 
1306 
COUntersecure (koun * ter -se-kur'), r. t.; pret. 
and pp. eotmtersecured, ppr. cottntersecuring. To 
give additional security to or for. 
What have the regicides promised you in return, . . . 
whilst you are giving that pledge from the throne, and 
engaging parliament to countersecure it ? 
Burke, A Regicide Peace. 
counter-security (koun'ter-se-ku"ri-ti), n. Se- 
curity given to one who has entered into bonds 
or become surety for another. 
counter-sense (koun'ter-sens), n. [= F. contre- 
sens; as counter- + sense.] An opposite or con- 
trary meaning. [Rare.] 
There are some Words now in French which are turned 
to a Countersense. Howell, Letters, iv. 19. 
counter-shaft (koun'ter-shaft), n. A shaft 
driven by a band or gearing running from an- 
other opposite and parallel shaft Reversing 
counter-shaft, a shaft capable of rotation in either di- 
rection, in order to reverse the direction of the motion of 
the machine which it drives. 
countersign (koun-ter-sm'), v. t. [< OF. con- 
tresigner,F. contre-signer = Sp. contraseKar = 
Pg. contrascnhar = It. conlrassegnarc ; as coun- 
ter- + sign.] 1. To sign opposite to another 
signature ; sign additionally ; superadd one's 
signature to by way of authentication, attesta- 
tion, or confirmation: as, charters signed by 
a king are countersigned by a secretary. 2. 
Figuratively, to attest in any way ; confirm ; 
corroborate. [Rare.] 
What he [Paterculus] remarked, what he founded upon 
a review of two nations and two literatures we may now 
countersign by an experience of eight or nine. 
De Quincey, Style, iii. 
As to dictionaries, the Dean writes of them as if he sup- 
posed their contents were countersigned beyond the stars. 
/'. Hall, Mod. Eng., p. 153. 
countersign (koun'ter-sin), n. [< OF. contre- 
sign, contresigne = F. contre-seing = Sp. con- 
traseila = Pg. contrasenha = It. contrassegno; 
from the verb.] 1. A private signal, in the 
form of a word, phrase, or number, given to 
soldiers on guard, with orders to let no one 
pass unless he first gives that sign ; a military 
watchword. 
Friendship, not Fame, is the countersign here ; 
Make room by the conqueror crowned in the strife 
For the comrade that limps from the battle of life ! 
0. W. Holmes, My Annual (1866). 
2. The signature of a secretary or other subor- 
dinate officer to a writing signed by the princi- 
pal or superior, to attest its authenticity; a 
counter-signature. =Syn. 1. Secparol, s. 
counter-signal (koun'ter-sig-nal), . [= F. 
contre-signal ; as counter- + signal.] A signal 
used as an answer to another. 
counter-signature (koun 'ter -sig-na-tur), n. 
The name of a secretary or other subordinate 
officer countersigned to a writing. 
Below the Imperial name is commonly a counter-signa- 
ture of one of the cabinet ministers. Tooke. 
countersink (koun'ter-singk), v. t. ; pret. and 
pp. countersunk, ppr. countersinking. 1. To form 
by drilling or turning, as a cavity in timber or 
other materials, for the reception of the head 
of a bolt or screw, a plate of iron, etc., in order 
that it 'may be nearly or C[uite flush with the 
surface : as, to countersink's, hole for a screw. 
2. To cause to sink in any other body so as 
to be nearly or quite flush with its surface : 
as, to countersink a screw or bolt by making a 
depression for its head Countersunk bolt, "a", 
See fcottl, nail. 
countersink (koun'ter-singk), n. 1. A drill or 
brace-bit for countersinking, variously made, 
according as 
it is to be used 
on wood, iron, 
brass, etc. Spe- 
cifically (a) A 
boring-bit hav- 
ing a conical or 
spherical cutter, 
used to make a 
depression to re- 
a, a. Countersinks of which the sides are 
chamfered to receive an ordinary wood-screw. 
b. Countersink for fiat-head screw.or bolt-head. 
c. Countersink used in watch-making, d. Coun- 
tersink-bit. 
ceive the head of a screw. (6) A blacksmiths' punch or a 
metal-working tool for chamfering a hole punched or 
drilled in metal, (c) A cutting-tool fitted to a drill-stock 
for chamfering the edge of the hole formed by the drill. 
2. An enlargement of a hole to receive the head 
of a screw or bolt. E. H. Knight. 3. The re- 
cess in the chamber of a gun into which the rim 
of the cartridge fits. 
counter-slope (koun'ter-slop), n. 1. An over- 
hanging slope: as, a wall with a counter-slope. 
Mahan. Z. In fort., the inclination of the sole 
of an embrasure upward and outward from the 
sill : used in contradistinction to the downward 
slope toward the front usually given to the soles 
in embrasure batteries. 
counter-trench 
Embrasures for guns firing with great angles of eleva- 
tion may receive a eoufl&rrfope, xmni; the sole nearly the 
same inclination from the sill upwards as the least angle 
of elevation under which it may -be required to aim the 
piece. Tiilliall, Artillery Manual, p. 396. 
counter-stand (koun'ter-stand), H. Something 
which serves as a ground for opposition or re- 
sistance ; opposition ; resistance. 
Your knowledge has no countermand against her. 
Longfellow, tr. of Dante's Inferno, vii. 85. 
counter-statement (koun'ter-stat-ment), . 
A statement made in opposition to another ; a 
denial ; a refutation. 
counter-Statute (koun'ter-stat-ut), n. A con- 
trary statute or ordinance ; a law antagonistic 
to another. 
His own antinomy or counterstatute. Milton, Divorce. 
counter-Step (koun'ter-step), . An opposite 
step or procedure. 
co unterstock (koun'ter-stok), n . Same as coun- 
terfoil, 1. 
counter-stroke (koun'ter-strok), n. A stroke 
or blow given in return for one received ; a re- 
turn stroke or blow. 
He met him with a counterstroke so swift, 
That quite smit off his arme as he it up did lift. 
Spenser, F. Q., V. xi. 7. 
counter-subject (koun 'tei 1 - sub -jekt), n. In 
music, specifically, in a fugue, a theme intro- 
duced as an appendage to the subject, and in 
counterpoint to the answer, or vice versa. A 
counter-subject is distinguished from a second subject by its 
dependent position when first used, although it may be 
subsequently used as an episodal subject. 
counter-surety (koun'ter-shor-ti), n. [< F. 
con tre-surete ; as counter- + surety.} A coun- 
ter-bond, or a surety to secure one who has 
given security. 
counter-swallowtail (kouu'tcr-swol-o-tal), n. 
In fort., an outwork in the form of a single te- 
naille, wider at the gorge than at the head. 
COUnter-SWay (koun' ter -swa), . Contrary 
sway ; opposing influence. 
By a countersway of restraint curbing their wild exor- 
bitance almost in the other extreme ; as when we bow 
things the contrary way, to make them come to their nat- 
ural straightness. Milton, Divorce. 
counter-tally (koun'ter-tal-i), . [< ME. coun- 
tertale, countretaille, < OF. contretaille, countre- 
taille, F. contre-taille ; as counter- + tally.] A 
tally serving as a check to another. 
counter-taste (koun'ter-tast), n. Opposite or 
false taste. [Rare.] 
There is a kind of counter-taste, founded on surprise and 
curiosity, which maintains a sort of rivalship with the 
true. Shenstone. 
counter-tendency (koun 'ter -ten -den -si), n. 
An opposite or opposing tendency. 
The Hegelian system recognizes every natural tendency 
of thought as logical, although it be certain to be abol- 
ished by counter-tendencies. Pop. Sci, Mo., XII. 12. 
counter-tenor (koun'ter-ten-or), n. [< ME. 
counter-tenur, < OF. contreteneur, < It. contra- 
tenore ; as counter- + tenor.} In music, a high 
tenor or an alto voice ; the part sung by such 
a voice. It is the highest adult male voice, having its 
easy compass from tenor G to treble C, and music for it is 
written on the alto or C clef on the middle line of the staff. 
The lowest voices of females and boys have about the same 
register, and are sometimes inaccurately called counter- 
tenor. The correct term is alto or contralto. 
counter-term (koun'ter-term), n. A term op- 
posed or contrary to another term; an anti- 
thetical term. 
No ill, no good ! such counter-terms, my son, 
Are border-races, holding each its own 
By endless war. Tennyson, Ancient Sage. 
counter-tierce (koun'ter-ters), n. In fencing, 
a counter-parry in tierce. 
counter-timber (koun ' ter - tim - ber), . See 
counter 3 , n., 4. 
counter-time (koun'ter-tim), n. [< counter- + 
time, after F. contre-temps : see contretemps.] 
1 . In the manege, the resistance or hindrance of 
a horse that interrupts his cadence and the mea- 
sure of his manege, occasioned by lack of skill 
in the rider or the bad temper of the horse. 
Hence 2. Resistance; opposition. 
Let cheerfulness on happy fortune wait, 
And give not thus the countertiitip to fate. 
Dryden, Anrenggebe. 
counter-traction (koun'ter-trak-shon), n. Op- 
posite traction. 
The treatment [of dislocations] was by traction and coun- 
trrtractiun, circumductiou, and other dexterous manipu- 
lation. Kni'i/e. ISi-it., XXII. 673. 
counter-trench (koun'ter-trench), n. In fort., 
a trench made by the defenders of a place to 
render ineffectual one made by the besiegers. 
