(French, *contre*; Lat. *contra*), a term which enters into the composition of various words of our language, and generally implies contrariety or opposition. When applied to deeds it means an exact copy kept by the contrary party, and sometimes signed by both parties.

**Counter**, of a horse, that part of a horse's forehead which lies between the shoulder and the neck.

**Counter**, in Heraldry, is a term of frequent use; as shown in the following examples:

- **Counter-Changed**, the intermixture or opposition of a metal with a colour. - **Counter-Flory**, is said of a tressure the fleurs-de-lis of which are opposite to others. - **Counter-Ermine**, the contrary of ermine, being a black field with white spots. - **Counter-Paled**, when the escutcheon is divided into twelve pales parted per fesse; the two colours being counter-changed, so that the upper and lower are of different colours. - **Counter-Passant**, when two animals in a coat of arms are represented as proceeding in contrary directions. - **Counter-Pointed**, when two chevrons in one escutcheon meet in the points. - **Counter-Quartered** (*contre-ecartels*) denotes that the escutcheon, after being quartered, has each quarter again divided into two. - **Counter-Salient** is when two beasts are borne in a coat leaping from each other directly contrariwise. - **Counter-Guard**, in Fortification, a small rampart or work formed usually before a bastion, consisting of two faces making a salient angle, and parallel to the faces of the bastion. Counter-guards are sometimes constructed before the ravelins. - **Counter-March**, a marching back; a returning. Also, a change of the wings or face of a battalion, so as to bring the right to the left or the front into the rear. - **Counter-Mine**, in War, a well and gallery sunk in the earth and running under ground, in search of the enemy's mine, in order to meet it, and so defeat its effect. - **Counter-Point**, in Music. See Music.