Countermove
/ˈkaʊntərˌmuːv/noun
A move made in response to an opponent’s move, especially in chess or strategy.
Did you know?Countermove is built from Latin contra- meaning “against,” but unlike the truly ancient roots of its parts, the exact compound is a later English formation used for strategy and response.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kʷen-
“to go against, oppose”
Latin
Latin
contra
“against, opposite”
Old French
Old French
contre
“against, opposite”
Old English
English
mōvan
“to move, travel”
Middle English
English
countermoven
“to move in opposition or response”
Modern English
English
countermove
“a responsive or opposing move”
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