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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Counter, Cownter, n.¹ Also: countir, -tyre, cowntir, -ttyre. [ME. countire, cowntire, var. of cunter Cunter.]

1. A hostile encounter. c1420 Wynt. ix. 3205.
At this countyre [v.r. cownttyre] … Baith fadyre and son slane ware thare c1475 Wall. v. 923.
Quhen he the cownter saw, On thaim he raid Ib. vi. 514.
The fyrst cowntir ye may nocht weill abid a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 798.
Tak nocht yone keyne knight to countir in this hard cais a1500 Lanc. 3236.
Schir Gawan saw the counter that he mad 1533 Boece viii. viii. 266.
The corage of Scottis and Pichtis at the first cownter of bargane was feirs and kene 1535 Stewart 4760. Ib. 14360.
In that counter mony cruell knycht Wes maid to kneill 15.. Clar. ii. 864.
Thinking … That he sould … ane manlie counter make Ib. iv. 934.

2. In counter, ? to meet an attack. a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 950.
The scheld in countir he kest our his cleir weid