sb. (a.). Her. Also 8 contre-. [COUNTER- 14: cf. F. contrevair.] A variety of vair (one of the ‘furs’), in which the bells or cups of the same tincture are placed base to base.
1766. Porny, Heraldry, iii. (1777), 27. Counter-Vair or Contre-Vair, is when Bells or Cups of the same Tincture are placed Base against Base and Point against Point.
1864. Boutell, Heraldry Hist. & Pop., iv. (ed. 3), 20.
1868. Cussans, Her., iii. (1893), 54.
So Countervairy a. (in 8 contre-vary).
1731. Bailey (vol. II. s.v. Vary), Contre-Vary.
1830. Robson, Brit. Herald, III. Gloss., Counter-vairy, or verry,… is considered a fur.
