Obs. [In senses 1 and 2 transl. F. contretemps in same senses: see CONTRETEMPS; in sense 3 counter is prob. adj.
1. Fencing. A pass or thrust made at a wrong or inopportune moment; CONTRETEMPS 1. Also fig.
1599. Marston, Sco. Villanie, III. xi. 226. Martius … nere discourseth but of fencing feats, or counter times, finctures, sly passataes.
1676. Dryden, Aurengz., IV. i. Let Chearfulness on happy Fortune wait And give not thus the Counter-time to Fate.
2. Horsemanship. Interruption by a horse of the cadence or regularity of movement, owing to bad horsemanship or to unruly disposition.
1632. J. Hayward, trans. Biondi’s Eromena, 82. His horse … gave sometimes such counter-times, as might teach a good Horseman to stick firme to his seete.
1730–6. Bailey (folio), Counter Time is the defence or resistance of a Horse, that interrupts his cadence and the measure of his manage.
3. Contrary or opposite time.
1662. Hobbes, Seven Prob., Wks. 1845, VII. 14. You would see … the water on the other side of the bar to do the same, but in counter-time.
