Forms: see the verb. [a. OF. contremand, -mant, f. contremander: see prec. sb.]
1. A contrary command or order revoking or annulling a previous one.
1548. Hall, Chron., 110 b. The Cardinall was somewhat moved with this countermaunde, yet … he bowed from his former jorney, and passed the sea.
1597. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., V. (1632), vi. § 3. 321. To stoup as other Positiue ordinances doe, to the countermands of necessitie.
1603. Shaks., Meas. for M., IV. ii. 95. Haue you no countermand for Claudio yet? But he must die to morrow?
1639. Fuller, Holy War, IV. viii. (1840), 190. The pope’s legate brought him a flat countermand, that he must go no further, but instantly return.
a. 1713. Ellwood, Autobiog. (1714), 38. Finding my Horse ready bridled, I forthwith mounted and went off, lest I should receive a Countermand.
1809. Wellington, in Gurw., Desp., IX. 260. The Central Junta had countermanded the orders … of which countermand they gave us no notice.
1883. J. Saunders, Robbing Peter, viii. The steward was still busy despatching the notes of countermand.
2. Law. An action that has the effect of making void something previously executed.
1628. Coke, On Litt., 55 b. If a woman make a lease at will reseruing a rent and she taketh husband, this is no countermand of the lease at will.
1805. East, Rep., V. 209. Though marriage operate in law as a countermand to the arbitrator’s authority.
1848. Wharton, Law Lex., Countermand, where a thing formally executed is afterwards by some act or ceremony made void by the party who first did it; it is either actual by deed, or implied by law.
† 3. A command against; a prohibition. Obs.
1581. J. Bell, Haddon’s Answ. Osor., 154. Beyng quite overthrowen by the onely countermaunde of almightie God.
1624. Sanderson, 12 Serm. (1637), 454. If by his countermaund he inhibit or restraine the vertue of the bread.
1689. T. Plunket, Char. Gd. Commander, 28. March Counter to the counter-mand of those Would hinder you from chasing of your Foes.
