Where does “counterstroke” come from?

counterstroke (English) comes from English counter, from Middle English countour, from Middle French contoir, from Middle French compter, from Old French compter, from Latin computāre, from Latin computō, from Latin com- — to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...

counterstroke (English): A blow given in return; A retaliation

Definitions

  1. A blow given in return; A retaliation

Ancestry of “counterstroke”, step by step

counterstroke traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English counter

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishcounterOne who counts; A reckoner; someone who collects...
2Middle EnglishcountourAn accountant; a financial recordkeeper
3Middle FrenchcontoirAlternative spelling of comptoir
4Middle Frenchcompterto recount; to tell
5Old Frenchcompter
6Latincomputāre
7Latincomputōto calculate, compute, reckon together
8Latincom-allomorph of con-
9Latincon-Used in compounds to indicate a being or bringing...
10Latincumwith, along with; at; -fold
11Old LatincomAlternative form of cum
12Proto-Italickomwith, along, at
13Proto-Indo-Europeanḱómbeside, near, by, with
14Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
15Middle Englishkyt
16Germankittputty certain kinds of cement used for fixing e.g. window panes
17Old High Germankuti
18Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
19Proto-Germanickweduzresin
20Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak
21Proto-Indo-Europeangū-to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...

via English stroke

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishstrokeAn act of stroking; A blow or hit; A single...
2Middle EnglishstrokeAny striking or hitting motion; The force of...
3Middle EnglishstrokAlternative form of stroke; Alternative form of...
4Old Englishstrācstroke
5ScotsstraikA stroke, a blow; To stroke
6Proto-GermanicstraikazA stroke, line, dash
7Proto-Indo-Europeanstreyg-to strike; to shear
8Proto-Indo-European(s)ter-strong, firm, stiff, rigid; rigid, stiff; to...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gū-
counterstroke — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer