[COUNTER- 4.] A revolution opposed to a previous revolution or reversing its results.
1793. Gouv. Morris, in Sparks, Life & Writ. (1832), II. 388. A very large portion of the people are disposed to a counter revolution.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., III. 180. The effect of such a counterrevolution would be … that William would sink into insignificance.
1890. Saintsbury, in New Rev., Feb., 138. A real counter-revolution may have effected itself in their opinions.
So Counter-revolutionary a., pertaining to or of the nature of a counter-revolution; Counter-revolutionist, one who takes part in a counter-revolution; Counter-revolutionize v., to subject to a counter-revolution.
1791. Gouv. Morris, in Sparks, Life & Writ. (1832), II. 144. To the troops mentioned are added by the counter revolutionists 15,000 Hessians.
1815. W. Taylor, in Monthly Rev., LXXVII. 473. To impress on public opinion a counter-revolutionary tendency.
1827. Southey, Hist. Penins. War, II. 306. He should march against it with equal activity, whether revolutionized or counter-revolutionized.
1844. Stanley, Arnold (1858), II. viii. 55. The counter-revolutionists had gained the ascendancy.
1849. Grote, Greece, II. lvi. (1862), V. 88. The oligarchical party … promised them a counter-revolutionary movement.
