counterword en · NOUN
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ḱe? Proto-Indo-European *ḱóm Proto-Italic *kom Proto-Italic *kom- Proto-Indo-European *-teros Proto-Italic *-teros Proto-Italic *komterosder. Proto-Italic *komterād Latin contrāder. Old French contre- Anglo-Norman countre-bor. Middle English counter- English counter- English word English counterword From counter- + word.
Meanings
- A word (for example so) that is frequently used in a reflex-like manner in an answer and that has thereby quickly taken on a new, much less specific or much looser meaning or is even almost meaningless and performs a completely new function.
- Such a word (or a word that has gone through a similar change) when not used as a reflex-like answer.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| counterwords | Number=Plur | lexicographic |