dial. and Mining. [app. a deriv. of CANT sb.1 or v.2; but the value of the -ER is doubtful. App. diffused in Mining use from Cornwall.]
A. as sb. (or ? absol. use of adj.): a. (also caunter-lode), a lode crossing the general direction of the veins in a mine, a cross-vein.
1810. J. T., in Risdon’s Surv. Devon, p. xiii. Besides the east and west veins, others are found which run either north or south, or on points of the compass between these; they are called by the miner cross lodes, cross courses, or caunters.
1858. Simmonds, Dict. Trade, Caunter-lode, a lode which inclines at a considerable angle to the other contiguous veins.
1881. Raymond, Mining Gloss.
b. (See quot.)
1880. W. Cornwall Gloss., Caunter, a cross-handed blow.
B. adj. (or ? attrib.) Crossing, cross, transverse.
1880. Prospectus of W. Frontino & Bolivia Gold Mining Co., 3. The several lodes … have a strike … crossed by a great number of caunter branches, or feeders.
