Obs. [COUNTER- 11.] A scuffle between opposing parties or persons. (Sometimes, humorously, a scuffle in the Counter prison.)

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1628.  R. S. (title), The Counter Scuffle, whereunto is added the Counter Ratt.

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1656.  Artif. Handsom., 154. What fierce conflicts and counter-scuffles have been among people of various minds.

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a. 1674.  Clarendon, Hist. Reb., IX. (1703), II. 540. The Counter-scuffle at Petherton-Bridge, when two of his own Parties … fought with each other.

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1682.  N. O., Boileau’s Lutrin, IV. Argt. 30. This Counter-Scuffle, I dare stand in ’t, The Goddess Discord had a hand in ’t.

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  So † Counter-scuffler, one who engages in a counter-scuffle; a competitor.

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a. 1672.  Wood, Life (1848), 37, note. The Mertonian counter-scufflers … tug as hard for a postmaster’s place as commons.

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