counter-作為英語本族語的前綴，大約出現(xiàn)在15世紀(jì)左右，它的前身是古法語的counte,始祖卻正是拉丁詞contra-。所以，counter-的基本含義也是against,由此引申出opposite,in return 等意義。除了在少量法語借詞中counter-與詞根結(jié)合之外，它基本上是個派生詞綴，可以與名詞、動詞及少量形容詞相綴合，當(dāng)它與名詞結(jié)合時，主要起修飾名詞的作用，一般不改變詞基單詞的詞性。

counter-與詞根結(jié)合的兩個法語借詞。

1.counterfeit [counter- = against 針對；feit(fac) = to make制作→針對真品進(jìn)行仿制]
vt.偽造（貨幣等）；仿造
舉例：He was sent to prison for counterfeiting five-dollar bills.他因偽造5元面值的鈔票被送進(jìn)監(jiān)獄。

2.counterpoise [counter- = against 對抗；poise(peis) =weight 重量→與另一重量相抗衡的重量]
n.平衡力，抵消力
His robust strength was a counterpoise to the disease. 強壯的體質(zhì)幫助他頂住了那場疾病。


counter-與名詞綴合生成名詞派生詞的幾個例子。

1.counterbalance [counter- = opposite 相反的；balance n.平衡力→反向平衡力]
n.平衡力，抗衡
舉例：Her husband's cool judgement was a counterbalance to her impulsiveness. 她丈夫處事冷靜，這對她的沖動冒失起了平衡作用。

2.counterpart [counter- = corresponding 對應(yīng)的；part n.部分→在另一方的對應(yīng)部分]
n.配對物；對手方
舉例：During his visit to France,our foreign minister conferred with his French counterpart several times. 在法國訪問期間，我外交部長與法國外交部長商談數(shù)次。

3.countersign [counter- = in return 回答的；sign n.信號→ ]
b, 應(yīng)答信號；口令
舉例：The soldier had to give the countersign before he could pass the sentry. 土兵必須答出口令才能通過崗哨。

下面是counter- 與動詞等相結(jié)合的詞例。

1.counterattack [counter- = against 反；attack v. 攻擊→]
v. 反擊；反攻
舉例：He counterattacked with the charges that the critics themselves were fascist. 他反控那些批評家，說他們自己就是搞法西斯主義的。

2.countercharge [counter- = against 反；charge v.控訴→]
v.反訴，反擊
He charged me with bribery,and I countercharged him with slander. 他控告我受賄，我則反控他誹謗。

3.counterclockwise [counter- = opposite 相反的；clockwise adj. & adv. 順時針方向→]
adj./adv. 逆時針方向的（地）
They danced counterclockwise around the Maypole. 他們按逆時針方向繞著五朔節(jié)花柱跳舞。