[a. OF. contresigne, ad. It. contrasegno ‘a counter token or signe’ (Florio): cf. COUNTER- 5.]
1. A sign or signal used in reply to another sign; spec. a private signal, usually a word, given or to be given to a soldier on guard by any one entitled to pass; a watchword, pass-word.
1598. Barret, Theor. Warres, IV. ii. 106. He ought to have a different countersigne, that when he returnes, he may be knowne thereby.
1670. Cotton, Espernon, I. IV. 149. If it had been thought of, to have answer’d her Signal by the usual countersign [the Gally] had infallibly been taken.
1799. Sheridan, Pizarro, V. i. We are near our outposts, and the word we heard just now was the countersign.
1827. Hardman, Waterloo, 6. ‘Advance, patrole, and give the Countersign to me.’ ‘The Countersign is London.’
1847. Infantry Man. (1854), 103. When a sentry is posted, the Countersign only is given him.
1856. R. A. Vaughan, Mystics (1860), I. 144. We who sigh for reform … have our secret communications … our signs and counter-signs.
2. A special sign or mark put on something for the purpose of authentication, identification or reference; = COUNTERMARK.
1591. Garrard, Art Warre, 67. It is necessary his ensigne have certain special countersignes and markes.
1662. Evelyn, Chalcogr., B v. Baccio Baldini his works, and countersign.
1842. Manning, Serm. (1848), I. vii. 91. The character which was upon them was a legible countersign of their claim to be His servants.
† 3. A token in return. Obs.
1628. Le Grys, trans. Barclay’s Argenis, 156. Radirobanes … King of Sardinia … doth send this countersigne of contracted hospitality to thee Meleander, King of Sicily.
