sb. [COUNTER- 3, 5.] A return-blow; the back-stroke of a rebound.
165560. Stanley, Hist. Philos. (1701), 65/1. That the Voice is made by the Wind, hitting against firm resisting Air, returning the counter-blow to our Ears.
1707. Collier, Refl. Ridic., 76. A Man feels for a long time the Counter-Blow of indiscreet Expences.
1768. in Doran, Mann & Manners (1876), II. viii. 190. The harshest counter-blow came from Spain.
1860. Mayne, Expos. Lex., 225/1. Contrecoup a counter-blow; a rebound.
So † Counterblow v., to give counterblows to.
1632. Lithgow, Trav., IX. (1682), 400. The Tartars are not expert in War nor so manly as the Polonians, who Counter-blow them at Rancounters.