counter-作为英语本族语的前缀，大约出现在15世纪左右，它的前身是古法语的counte,始祖却正是拉丁词contra-。所以，counter-的基本含义也是against,由此引申出opposite,in return 等意义。除了在少量法语借词中counter-与词根结合之外，它基本上是个派生词缀，可以与名词、动词及少量形容词相缀合，当它与名词结合时，主要起修饰名词的作用，一般不改变词基单词的词性。

counter-与词根结合的两个法语借词。

1.counterfeit [counter- = against 针对；feit(fac) = to make制作→针对真品进行仿制]
vt.伪造（货币等）；仿造
举例：He was sent to prison for counterfeiting five-dollar bills.他因伪造5元面值的钞票被送进监狱。

2.counterpoise [counter- = against 对抗；poise(peis) =weight 重量→与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. 强壮的体质帮助他顶住了那场疾病。


counter-与名词缀合生成名词派生词的几个例子。

1.counterbalance [counter- = opposite 相反的；balance n.平衡力→反向平衡力]
n.平衡力，抗衡
举例：Her husband's cool judgement was a counterbalance to her impulsiveness. 她丈夫处事冷静，这对她的冲动冒失起了平衡作用。

2.counterpart [counter- = corresponding 对应的；part n.部分→在另一方的对应部分]
n.配对物；对手方
举例：During his visit to France,our foreign minister conferred with his French counterpart several times. 在法国访问期间，我外交部长与法国外交部长商谈数次。

3.countersign [counter- = in return 回答的；sign n.信号→ ]
b, 应答信号；口令
举例：The soldier had to give the countersign before he could pass the sentry. 土兵必须答出口令才能通过岗哨。

下面是counter- 与动词等相结合的词例。

1.counterattack [counter- = against 反；attack v. 攻击→]
v. 反击；反攻
举例：He counterattacked with the charges that the critics themselves were fascist. 他反控那些批评家，说他们自己就是搞法西斯主义的。

2.countercharge [counter- = against 反；charge v.控诉→]
v.反诉，反击
He charged me with bribery,and I countercharged him with slander. 他控告我受贿，我则反控他诽谤。

3.counterclockwise [counter- = opposite 相反的；clockwise adj. & adv. 顺时针方向→]
adj./adv. 逆时针方向的（地）
They danced counterclockwise around the Maypole. 他们按逆时针方向绕着五朔节花柱跳舞。