Counterattack
/ˌkaʊn.tər.əˈtæk/noun
An attack made in response to an enemy attack.
Did you know?The first element, counter-, comes from Latin contra meaning “against,” so the word is built on the ancient idea of opposition turned into action.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
contra
“against; opposite to”
Old French
Old French
contre
“against; opposite”
Middle English
English
counter-
“a prefix meaning against or in opposition”
16th Century
English
attack
“to assault or strike”
17th Century
English
counterattack
“an attack made in response to an enemy attack”
Modern English
English
counterattack
“a retaliatory attack in response to an attack”
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