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count|down /kaʊ ntdaʊn/ (countdowns )

1 N‑SING A countdown is the counting aloud of numbers in reverse order before something happens, especially before a spacecraft is launched. □  The countdown has begun for the launch of the space shuttle.

2 N‑COUNT The countdown to an event is the period of time leading up to the event. □ [+ to ] …the countdown to the next election.

coun|te|nance /kaʊ nt I nəns/ (countenances , countenancing , countenanced )

1 VERB If someone will not countenance something, they do not agree with it and will not allow it to happen. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Jake would not countenance Janis's marrying while still a student.

2 N‑COUNT Someone's countenance is their face. [LITERARY ]

coun|ter ◆◇◇ /kaʊ ntə ^r / (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. □  …a woman serving behind the counter at a bakery. □  …the cosmetics counter.

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 + by ] Sears then countered by filing an antitrust lawsuit.

3 N‑SING Something that is a counter to something else has an opposite effect to it or makes it less effective. □ [+ to ] Pay and benefits can be used as a counter to job insecurity.

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. □ [V + with ] The union countered with letters rebutting the company's claims. □ [V + by ] 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 firm voice. [Also V that]

5 N‑COUNT 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 , Geiger 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 Over-the-counter shares are bought and sold directly rather than on a stock exchange. [BUSINESS ]

10 PHRASE 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 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. COLLOCATIONS counter VERB

2

counter+ noun : attack, extremism, terrorism, threat; effect

4

counter+ noun : accusation, argument, claim, criticism

PREFIX counter-

forms words that refer to actions or activities that oppose another action or activity. For example, a counter-measure is an action you take to weaken the effect of another action or situation.