[COUNTER- 3, 6.]
1. Motion in the opposite direction; contrary motion.
1606. Earl Northampt., in True & Perf. Relat., Oo iv b. By countermotion or opposition to the spheares of the former gouernment.
1644. Digby, Nat. Bodies, ix. (1659), 93. That resistance is a countermotion, or equivalent to one, is plain.
1665. Glanvill, Sceps. Sci., vi. 28. This motion would be quickly deadned by counter-motions.
a. 1677. Manton, Serm., Ps. cxix. 128, Wks. VIII. 321. They owned Christ, and so walked in a countermotion to the times.
2. A motion or proposed resolution contrary to one already proposed.
Mod. The amendment is in effect a counter-motion.
Hence Counter-motion v. nonce-wd.
1839. Carlyle, Chartism, i. 112. For what end at all are men … sent to St. Stephen’s … kept talking … motioning and counter-motioning?
