n. Counterbalance; balance, as of one scale against another. [ Obs. ] Howell. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See counterscarp. [ 1913 Webster ]

pos>n. [ Counter- + scarp: cf. F. contrescarpe. ] (Fort.) The exterior slope or wall of the ditch; -- sometimes, the whole covered way, beyond the ditch, with its parapet and glacis; as, the enemy have lodged themselves on the counterscarp. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Countersealed p. pr. & vb. n. Countersealing. ] To seal or ratify with another or others. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To give additional security to or for. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Mach.) An intermediate shaft; esp., one which receives motion from a line shaft in a factory and transmits it to a machine. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Countersigned p. pr. & vb. n. Countersigning. ] [ Counter- + sign: cf. F. contresigner. ] To sign on the opposite side of (an instrument or writing); hence, to sign in addition to the signature of a principal or superior, in order to attest the authenticity of a writing. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. The signature of a secretary or other officer to a writing signed by a principal or superior, to attest its authenticity. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Mil.) A private signal, word, or phrase, which must be given in order to pass a sentry; a watchword. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a second confirming signature endorsing a document already signed.
Syn. -- countersign. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Countersunk p. pr. & vb. n. Countersinking. ] 1. To chamfer or form a depression around the top of (a hole in wood, metal, etc.) for the reception of the head of a screw or bolt below the surface, either wholly or in part; as, to countersink a hole for a screw. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To cause to sink even with or below the surface; as, to countersink a screw or bolt into woodwork. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. An enlargement of the upper part of a hole, forming a cavity or depression for receiving the head of a screw or bolt. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In the United States a flaring cavity formed by chamfering the edges of a round hole is called a countersink, while a cylindrical flat-bottomed enlargement of the mouth of the hole is usually called a conterbore. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A drill or cutting tool for countersinking holes. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Resistance; opposition; a stand against. [ 1913 Webster ]

Making counterstand to Robert Guiscard. Longfellow. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A contrary method of procedure; opposite course of action. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Counterfoil. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A stroke or blow in return. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

p. p. & a. from Countersink. 1. Chamfered at the top; -- said of a hole. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Sunk into a chamfer; as, a countersunk bolt. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Beveled on the lower side, so as to fit a chamfered countersink; as, a countersunk nailhead. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A swaying in a contrary direction; an opposing influence. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

A countersway of restraint, curbing their wild exorbitance. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]