Emily Dickinson Lexicon

COUN'TER, adv. [Fr. contre; L. contra; Sp. and It. contra; probably a compound of con and tra, as in extra, ultra.]

1. Contrary; in opposition; in an opposite direction; used chiefly with run or go; as, to run counter to the rules of virtue; he went counter to his own interest.
2. The wrong way; contrary to the right course. – Shak.
3. Contrariwise; in a contrary manner. – Locke.
4. The face, or at the face. [Not used.] – Sandys. This word is prefixed to many others, chiefly verbs and nouns, expressing opposition.