counter

(noun) table consisting of a horizontal surface over which business is transacted.

(noun) game equipment (as a piece of wood, plastic, or ivory) used for keeping a count or reserving a space in various card or board games.

(noun) a calculator that keeps a record of the number of times something happens. Synonyms: tabulator.

(noun) a piece of furniture that stands at the side of a dining room; has shelves and drawers. Synonyms: buffet, sideboard.

(noun) a person who counts things.

(noun) a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one). Synonyms: rejoinder, retort, return, riposte, replication, comeback. Example: "It brought a sharp rejoinder from the teacher."

(noun) (computer science) a register whose contents go through a regular series of states (usually states indicating consecutive integers).

(noun) a piece of leather forming the back of a shoe or boot. Synonyms: heel counter. Example: "A counter may be used to stiffen the material around the heel and to give support to the foot."

(noun) a return punch (especially by a boxer). Synonyms: counterpunch, parry.

(verb) speak in response. Example: "He countered with some very persuasive arguments."

(verb) act in advance of; deal with ahead of time. Synonyms: anticipate, foresee, forestall.

(adj) indicating opposition or resistance. Synonyms: antagonistic.

(adv) in the opposite direction. Example: "Run counter."