[COUNTER- 1.]
1. intr. To devise a counterplot against; to plot in opposition.
1597. Daniel, Civ. Wars, Wks. (1717), II. 55.
| You have great Cause your Subjects to suspect, | |
| And counterplot against their Subtilties. |
1675. Art Contentm., I. § 1. 176. When lapsed man had counterplotted against himself, defeated the purpose of the Divine goodness, [etc.].
1861. Perry, Hist. Ch. Eng., I. xv. 535. Against these plots the bishop counterplotted.
2. trans. To plot against (a plot, or plotter); to frustrate by a counterplot.
1662. Pepys, Diary, 27 June. He do counterplot them by setting him up higher still.
1678. Gale, Crt. Gentiles, III. 55. Their plotted contrived evil was counter-plotted and contrived by God for good.
1700. Tyrrell, Hist. Eng., II. 885. He was Counter-plotted by the other’s Policy.
1711. W. King, trans. Naude’s Ref. Politics, iii. 69. It is permitted to counterplot what is plotted against us.
1887. Spectator, 27 Aug., 1160. To counterplot that infamous trickster.
Hence Counterplotter, -plotting vbl. sb.
1642. Milton, Apol. Smect., xii. The endless brabbles and counterplottings of the Bishops.
1741. Richardson, Pamela (1824), I. 209. All his stratagems … and all your pretty counterplottings.
1883. D. H. Wheeler, By-Ways of Lit., viii. 147. Marc Antony. The counterplotter is in some respects the greatest of these demigods.
