Chapter 89

Coun"ter*shaft` (koun"t?r-sh?ft`), n. (Mach.) An intermediate shaft; esp., one which receives motion from a line shaft in a factory and transmits it to a machine.

Coun`ter*sign" (-s?n`; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Countersigned (-s?nd`); 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.

Coun"ter*sign`, a. 1. The signature of a secretary or other officer to a writing signed by a principal or superior, to attest its authenticity.

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

Coun"ter*sink` (koun"t&etilde;r*s&ibreve;&nsm;k`; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Countersunk (-sŭ&nsm;k`); 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.

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

Coun"ter*sink`, 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.

&fist; 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.

2. A drill or cutting tool for countersinking holes.

Coun"ter*stand` (-st&?;nd`), n. Resistance; opposition; a stand against.

Making counterstand to Robert Guiscard. Longfellow.

Coun"ter*step` (koun"t?r-st?p`), n. A contrary method of procedure; opposite course of action.

Coun"ter*stock` (-st?k`), n. See Counterfoil.

Coun"ter*stroke` (-str?k`), n. A stroke or blow in return. Spenser.

Coun"ter*sunk` (-s?nk`), p. p. & a. from Countersink. 1. Chamfered at the top; -- said of a hole.

2. Sunk into a chamfer; as, a countersunk bolt.

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

Coun"ter*sway` (-swā`), n. A swaying in a contrary direction; an opposing influence. [Obs.]

A countersway of restraint, curbing their wild exorbitance. Milton.

Coun"ter ten`or (t?n`?r). [OF. contreteneur. Cf. Contratenor, and see Tenor a part in music.] (Mus.) One of the middle parts in music, between the tenor and the treble; high tenor.

Counter-tenor clef (Mus.), the C clef when placed on the third line; -- also called alto clef.

Coun"ter*term` (-t?rm`), n. A term or word which is the opposite of, or antithesis to, another; an antonym; -- the opposite of synonym; as, "foe" is the counterterm of "friend". C. J. Smith.

Coun"ter*time` (-t?m`), n. 1. (Man.) The resistance of a horse, that interrupts his cadence and the measure of his manege, occasioned by a bad horseman, or the bad temper of the horse.

2. Resistance; opposition. [Obs.]

Give not shus the countertime to fate. Dryden.

Coun"ter*trip`pant (-tr?p`pant), a. (Her.) Trippant in opposite directions. See Trippant.

Coun"ter*trip`ping (-tr?p`p?ng), a. (Her.) Same as Countertrippant.

Coun"ter*turn` (-t&?;rn`), n. The critical moment in a play, when, contrary to expectation, the action is embroiled in new difficulties. Dryden.

Coun`ter*vail" (koun`t?r-v?l"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Countervailed (-v?ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Countervailing.] [OF. contrevaloir; contre (L. contra) + valoir to avail, fr. L. valere to be strong, avail. See Vallant.] To act against with equal force, power, or effect; to thwart or overcome by such action; to furnish an equivalent to or for; to counterbalance; to compensate.

Upon balancing the account, the profit at last will hardly countervail the inconveniences that go allong with it. L'Estrange.

Coun"ter*vail` (koun"t?r-v?l`), n. Power or value sufficient to obviate any effect; equal weight, strength, or value; equivalent; compensation; requital. [Obs.]

Surely, the present pleasure of a sinful act is a poor countervail for the bitterness of the review. South.

Coun`ter*val*la"tion (-v?l-l?"s??n), n. (Fort.) See Contravallation.

Coun"ter*view` (koun"t?r-v?`), n. 1. An opposite or opposing view; opposition; a posture in which two persons front each other.

Within the gates of hell sat Death and Sin, In counterview. Milton

M. Peisse has ably advocated the counterview in his preface and appendix. Sir W. Hamilton.

2. A position in which two dissimilar things illustrate each other by opposition; contrast.

I have drawn some lines of Linger's character, on purpose to place it in counterview, or contrast with that of the other company. Swift.

Coun`ter*vote" (koun`t&etilde;r*vōt"), v. t. To vote in opposition to; to balance or overcome by voting; to outvote. Dr. J. Scott.

Coun`ter*wait" (koun`t&etilde;r*wāt"), v. t. To wait or watch for; to be on guard against. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Coun`ter*weigh" (-wā"), v. t. To weigh against; to counterbalance.

Coun"ter *weight` (-wāt`), n. A counterpoise.

Coun`ter*wheel" (-hwēl"), v. t. (Mil.) To cause to wheel or turn in an opposite direction.

Coun`ter*work" (-wűrk"), v. t. To work in opposition to; to counteract.

That counterworks each folly and caprice. Pope.

Count"ess (kount"?s), n.; pl. Countesses (-&?;s). [F. comtesse. See Count a nobleman.] The wife of an earl in the British peerage, or of a count in the Continental nobility; also, a lady possessed of the same dignity in her own right. See the Note under Count.

{ Count"ing*house` (kount"?ng-hous`), Count"ing*room` (kount"?ng-r??m`), } n. [See Count, v.] The house or room in which a merchant, trader, or manufacturer keeps his books and transacts business.

Count"less (-l?s), a. Incapable of being counted; not ascertainable; innumerable.

Count"or (kount"?r), n. [From Count, v. t. (in sense 4).] (O. Eng. Law) An advocate or professional pleader; one who counted for his client, that is, orally pleaded his cause. [Obs.] Burrill.

{ Coun*tour" (k??n-t??r"), Coun*tour"house` (-hous`), } n. [See 2d Counter.] A merchant's office; a countinghouse. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Coun"tre- (koun"ter-). Same as prefix Counter-. [Obs.]

Coun`tre*plete" (-pl?t"), v. t. [Countre- + plete to plead.] To counterplead. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Coun"tre*taille` (koun"t?r-t?l`), n. [F. contretaille; contre (L. contra) + taille cut. See Tally.] A counter tally; correspondence (in sound). [Obs.]

At the countretaille, in return. Chaucer.

Coun"tri*fied (k?n"tr?-f?ld), p. a. Having the appearance and manners of a rustic; rude.

As being one who took no pride, And was a deal too countrified. Lloyd.

Coun"tri*fy (k?n"tr?-f?), v. t. To give a rural appearance to; to cause to appear rustic. Lamb.

Coun"try (k?n"tr?), n.; pl. Countries (-tr&?;z). [F. contrÚe, LL. contrata, fr. L. contra over against, on the opposite side. Cf. Counter, adv., Contra.] 1. A tract of land; a region; the territory of an independent nation; (as distinguished from any other region, and with a personal pronoun) the region of one's birth, permanent residence, or citizenship.

Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred. Gen. xxxxii. 9.

I might have learned this by my last exile, that change of countries cannot change my state. Stirling.

Many a famous realm And country, whereof here needs no account Milton.

2. Rural regions, as opposed to a city or town.

As they walked, on their way into the country. Mark xvi. 12 (Rev. Ver. ).

God made the covatry, and man made the town. Cowper.

Only very great men were in the habit of dividing the year between town and country. Macaulay.

3. The inhabitants or people of a state or a region; the populace; the public. Hence: (a) One's constituents. (b) The whole body of the electors of state; as, to dissolve Parliament and appeal to the country.

All the country in a general voice Cried hate upon him. Shak.

4. (Law) (a) A jury, as representing the citizens of a country. (b) The inhabitants of the district from which a jury is drawn.

5. (Mining.) The rock through which a vein runs.

Conclusion to the country. See under Conclusion. -- To put, or throw, one's self upon the country, to appeal to one's constituents; to stand trial before a jury.

Coun"try, a. 1. Pertaining to the regions remote from a city; rural; rustic; as, a country life; a country town; the country party, as opposed to city.

2. Destitute of refinement; rude; unpolished; rustic; not urbane; as, country manners.

3. Pertaining, or peculiar, to one's own country.

She, bowing herself towards him, laughing the cruel tyrant to scorn, spake in her country language. 2 Macc. vii. 27.

Coun"try-base` (-b?s`), n. Same as Prison base.

Coun"try-dance` (-d?ns`), n. [Prob. an adaptation of contradance.] See Contradance.

He had introduced the English country-dance to the knowledge of the Dutch ladies. Macaulay.

Coun"try*man (kŭn"tr&ibreve;-man), n.; pl. Countrymen (- men). 1. An inhabitant or native of a region. Shak.

2. One born in the same country with another; a compatriot; -- used with a possessive pronoun.

In perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen. 2 Cor. xi. 26.

3. One who dwells in the country, as distinguished from a townsman or an inhabitant of a city; a rustic; a husbandman or farmer.

A simple countryman that brought her figs. Shak.

Coun"try seat` (k?n"tr? s?t`). A dwelling in the country, used as a place of retirement from the city.

Coun"try*side` (-s?d`), n. A particular rural district; a country neighborhood. [Eng.] W. Black. Blackmore.

Coun"try*wom`an (-w??m`an), n.; pl. Countrywomen (-w&?;m`&?;n). A woman born, or dwelling, in the country, as opposed to the city; a woman born or dwelling in the same country with another native or inhabitant. Shak.

Count"-wheel` (kount"hw?l`), n. The wheel in a clock which regulates the number of strokes.

Coun"ty (koun"t?), n.; pl. Counties (-t&?;z). [F. comt&?;, fr. LL. comitatus. See Count.] 1. An earldom; the domain of a count or earl. [Obs.]

2. A circuit or particular portion of a state or kingdom, separated from the rest of the territory, for certain purposes in the administration of justice and public affairs; -- called also a shire. See Shire.

Every county, every town, every family, was in agitation. Macaulay.

3. A count; an earl or lord. [Obs.] Shak.

County commissioners. See Commissioner. -- County corporate, a city or town having the privilege to be a county by itself, and to be governed by its own sheriffs and other magistrates, irrespective of the officers of the county in which it is situated; as London, York, Bristol, etc. [Eng.] Mozley & W. -- County court, a court whose jurisdiction is limited to county. -- County palatine, a county distinguished by particular privileges; -- so called a palatio (from the palace), because the owner had originally royal powers, or the same powers, in the administration of justice, as the king had in his palace; but these powers are now abridged. The counties palatine, in England, are Lancaster, Chester, and Durham. -- County rates, rates levied upon the county, and collected by the boards of guardians, for the purpose of defraying the expenses to which counties are liable, such as repairing bridges, jails, etc. [Eng.] -- County seat, a county town. [U.S.] -- County sessions, the general quarter sessions of the peace for each county, held four times a year. [Eng.] -- County town, the town of a county, where the county business is transacted; a shire town.

||Coup (k??), n. [F., fr.L. colaphus a cuff, Gr. &?;&?;&?;&?;.] A sudden stroke; an unexpected device or stratagem; -- a term used in various ways to convey the idea of promptness and force.

Coup de grace (k&?;&?;" de gr&?;s") [F.], the stroke of mercy with which an executioner ends by death the sufferings of the condemned; hence, a decisive, finishing stroke. -- Coup de main (k&?;&?;` de m&?;n`) [F.] (Mil.), a sudden and unexpected movement or attack. -- Coup de soleil (k&?;&?;` d s&?;-l&?;l or -l&?;"y') [F.] (Med.), a sunstroke. See Sunstroke. -- Coup d'Útat (k&?;&?;" d&?;-t&?;") [F.] (Politics), a sudden, decisive exercise of power whereby the existing government is subverted without the consent of the people; an unexpected measure of state, more or less violent; a stroke of policy. -- Coup d'ťil (k&oomac;` d&etilde;l"). [F.] (a) A single view; a rapid glance of the eye; a comprehensive view of a scene; as much as can be seen at one view. (b) The general effect of a picture. (c) (Mil.) The faculty or the act of comprehending at a glance the weakness or strength of a military position, of a certain arrangement of troops, the most advantageous position for a battlefield, etc.

Cou"pa*ble (k&oomac;"p&adot;*b'l), a. [F.] Culpable. [Obs.]

||Cou`pÚ" (k&oomac;`p&asl;"), n. [F., fr. coupÚ, p. p. of couper to cut. See Coppice.] 1. The front compartment of a French diligence; also, the front compartment (usually for three persons) of a car or carriage on British railways.

2. A four-wheeled close carriage for two persons inside, with an outside seat for the driver; -- so called because giving the appearance of a larger carriage cut off.

Couped (k??pt), a. [F. couper to cut.] (Her.) Cut off smoothly, as distinguished from erased; -- used especially for the head or limb of an animal. See Erased.

Cou*pee" (k??-p?"; F. k??`p?), n. [F. coupÚ, n., properly p. p. of couper to cut. Cf. CoupÚ, Coopee.] A motion in dancing, when one leg is a little bent, and raised from the floor, and with the other a forward motion is made. Chambers.

||Coupe`-gorge" (k??p`g?rzh"), n. [F., cut throat.] (Mil.) Any position giving the enemy such advantage that the troops occupying it must either surrender or be cut to pieces. Farrow.

Cou"ple (k?p"'l), n. [F. couple, fr. L. copula a bond, band; co- + apere, aptum, to join. See Art, a., and cf. Copula.] 1. That which joins or links two things together; a bond or tie; a coupler. [Obs.]

It is in some sort with friends as it is with dogs in couples; they should be of the same size and humor. L'Estrange.

I'll go in couples with her. Shak.

2. Two of the same kind connected or considered together; a pair; a brace. "A couple of shepherds." Sir P. Sidney. "A couple of drops" Addison. "A couple of miles." Dickens. "A couple of weeks." Carlyle.

Adding one to one we have the complex idea of a couple. Locke.

[Ziba] met him with a couple of asses saddled. 2 Sam. xvi. 1.

3. A male and female associated together; esp., a man and woman who are married or betrothed.

Such were our couple, man and wife. Lloyd.

Fair couple linked in happy, nuptial league. Milton.

4. (Arch.) See Couple- close.

5. (Elec.) One of the pairs of plates of two metals which compose a voltaic battery; -- called a voltaic couple or galvanic couple.

6. (Mech.) Two rotations, movements, etc., which are equal in amount but opposite in direction, and acting along parallel lines or around parallel axes.

&fist; The effect of a couple of forces is to produce a rotation. A couple of rotations is equivalent to a motion of translation.

Cou"ple, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Coupled (k?p"'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Coupling (-l?ng).] [F. coupler, fr. L. copulare. See Couple, n., and cf. Copulate, Cobble, v.]

1. To link or tie, as one thing to another; to connect or fasten together; to join.

Huntsman, I charge thee, tender well my hounds, . . . And couple Clowder with the deep-mouthed brach. Shak.

2. To join in wedlock; to marry. [Colloq.]

A parson who couples all our beggars. Swift.

Cou"ple, v. i. To come together as male and female; to copulate. [Obs.] Milton. Bacon.

Cou"ple-beg`gar (-b?g`g?r), n. One who makes it his business to marry beggars to each other. Swift.

Cou"ple-close` (k?p"?-kl?s`), n.; pl. Couple-closes (-kl&?;"s&?;z). 1. (Her.) A diminutive of the chevron, containing one fourth of its surface. Couple-closes are generally borne one on each side of a chevron, and the blazoning may then be either a chevron between two couple-closes or chevron cottised.

2. (Arch.) A pair of rafters framed together with a tie fixed at their feet, or with a collar beam. [Engl.]

Cou"ple*ment (k?p"'l-ment), n. [Cf. OF. couplement.] Union; combination; a coupling; a pair. [Obs.] Shak.

And forth together rode, a goodly couplement. Spenser.

Coup"ler (k?p"l?r), n. One who couples; that which couples, as a link, ring, or shackle, to connect cars.

Coupler of an organ, a contrivance by which any two or more of the ranks of keys, or keys and pedals, are connected so as to act together when the organ is played.

Coup"let (-l?t), n. [F. couplet, dim. of couple. See Couple, n. ] Two taken together; a pair or couple; especially two lines of verse that rhyme with each other.

A sudden couplet rushes on your mind. Crabbe.

Coup"ling (-l?ng), n. 1. The act of bringing or coming together; connection; sexual union.

2. (Mach.) A device or contrivance which serves to couple or connect adjacent parts or objects; as, a belt coupling, which connects the ends of a belt; a car coupling, which connects the cars in a train; a shaft coupling, which connects the ends of shafts.

Box coupling, Chain coupling. See under Box, Chain. -- Coupling box, a coupling shaped like a journal box, for clamping together the ends of two shafts, so that they may revolve together. -- Coupling pin, a pin or bolt used in coupling or joining together railroad cars, etc.

Cou"pon (k??"p?n; F. k??`p?n"), n. [F., fr. couper to cut, cut off. See Coppice.] 1. (Com.) A certificate of interest due, printed at the bottom of transferable bonds (state, railroad, etc.), given for a term of years, designed to be cut off and presented for payment when the interest is due; an interest warrant.

2. A section of a ticket, showing the holder to be entitled to some specified accomodation or service, as to a passage over a designated line of travel, a particular seat in a theater, or the like.

||Cou*pure" (k??-p?r"), n. [F., fr. couper to cut.] (Fort.) A passage cut through the glacis to facilitate sallies by the besieged. Wilhelm.

Cour"age (kŭr"&asl;j; 48), n. [OE. corage heart, mind, will, courage, OF. corage, F. courage, fr. a LL. derivative of L. cor heart. See Heart.] 1. The heart; spirit; temper; disposition. [Obs.]

So priketh hem nature in here corages. Chaucer.

My lord, cheer up your spirits; our foes are nigh, and this soft courage makes your followers faint. Shak.

2. Heart; inclination; desire; will. [Obs.] Chaucer.

I'd such a courage to do him good. Shak.

3. That quality of mind which enables one to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness, or without fear, or fainting of heart; valor; boldness; resolution.

The king-becoming graces . . . Devotion, patience, courage, fortitude, I have no relish of them. Shak.

Courage that grows from constitution often forsakes a man when he has occasion for it. Addison.

Syn. -- Heroism; bravery; intrepidity; valor; gallantry; daring; firmness; hardihood; boldness; dauntlessness; resolution. See Heroism. -- Courage, Bravery, Fortitude, Intrepidity, Gallantry, Valor. Courage is that firmness of spirit and swell of soul which meets danger without fear. Bravery is daring and impetuous courage, like that of one who has the reward continually in view, and displays his courage in daring acts. Fortitude has often been styled "passive courage," and consist in the habit of encountering danger and enduring pain with a steadfast and unbroken spirit. Valor is courage exhibited in war, and can not be applied to single combats; it is never used figuratively. Intrepidity is firm, unshaken courage. Gallantry is adventurous courage, which courts danger with a high and cheerful spirit. A man may show courage, fortitude, or intrepidity in the common pursuits of life, as well as in war. Valor, bravery, and gallantry are displayed in the contest of arms. Valor belongs only to battle; bravery may be shown in single combat; gallantry may be manifested either in attack or defense; but in the latter case, the defense is usually turned into an attack.

Cour"age, v. t. To inspire with courage. [Obs.]

Paul writeth unto Timothy . . . to courage him. Tyndale.

Cour*a"geous (k?r-?"j?s), a. [F. courageux.] Possessing, or characterized by, courage; brave; bold.

With this victory, the women became most courageous and proud, and the men waxed . . . fearful and desperate. Stow.

Syn. -- Gallant; brave; bold; daring; valiant; valorous; heroic; intrepid; fearless; hardy; stout; adventurous; enterprising. See Gallant.

Cour*a"geous*ly, adv. In a courageous manner.

Cour*a"geous*ness, n. The quality of being courageous; courage.

Cou*rant" (k??-r?nt"), a. [F., p. pr. of courir to run, L. currere. Cf. Current.] (Her.) Represented as running; -- said of a beast borne in a coat of arms.

Cou*rant" (k??-r?nt"), n. [F. courante, fr. courant, p. pr.] 1. A piece of music in triple time; also, a lively dance; a coranto.

2. A circulating gazette of news; a newspaper.

Cou*ran"to (-r?n"t?), n. A sprightly dance; a coranto; a courant.

Cou*rap" (k??-r?p), n. (Med.) A skin disease, common in India, in which there is perpetual itching and eruption, esp. of the groin, breast, armpits, and face.

Courb (k??rb), a. [F. courbe, fr. L. curvus. See Curve, a.] Curved; rounded. [Obs.]

Her neck is short, her shoulders courb. Gower.

Courb (k??rb), v. i. [F. courber. See Curs.] To bend; to stop; to bow. [Obs.]

Then I courbed on my knees. Piers Plowman.

Cour"ba*ril (k??r"b?-r?l), n. [F. courbaril, from a South American word.] See AnimÚ, n.

Courche (k??rsh), n. [Cf. Kerchief.] A square piece of linen used formerly by women instead of a cap; a kerchief. [Scot.] [Written also curch.] Jamieson.

Cou"ri*er (k??"r?-?r), n. [F. courrier, fr. courre, courir, to run, L. currere. See Course, Current.] 1. A messenger sent with haste to convey letters or dispatches, usually on public business.

The wary Bassa . . . by speedy couriers, advertised Solyman of the enemy's purpose. Knolles.

2. An attendant on travelers, whose business it is to make arrangements for their convenience at hotels and on the way.

Cour"lan (k??r"l?n), n. (Zo÷l.) A South American bird, of the genus Aramus, allied to the rails.

Course (k?rs), n. [F. cours, course, L. cursus, fr. currere to run. See Current.] 1. The act of moving from one point to another; progress; passage.

And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais. Acts xxi. 7.

2. The ground or path traversed; track; way.

The same horse also run the round course at Newmarket. Pennant.

3. Motion, considered as to its general or resultant direction or to its goal; line progress or advance.

A light by which the Argive squadron steers Their silent course to Ilium's well known shore. Dennham.

Westward the course of empire takes its way. Berkeley.

4. Progress from point to point without change of direction; any part of a progress from one place to another, which is in a straight line, or on one direction; as, a ship in a long voyage makes many courses; a course measured by a surveyor between two stations; also, a progress without interruption or rest; a heat; as, one course of a race.

5. Motion considered with reference to manner; or derly progress; procedure in a certain line of thought or action; as, the course of an argument.

The course of true love never did run smooth. Shak.

6. Customary or established sequence of events; recurrence of events according to natural laws.

By course of nature and of law. Davies.

Day and night, Seedtime and harvest, heat and hoary frost, Shall hold their course. Milton.

7. Method of procedure; manner or way of conducting; conduct; behavior.

My lord of York commends the plot and the general course of the action. Shak.