counter-作为英语本族语的前缀，大约出现在15世纪左右，它的前身是古法语的countre ,始祖却正是我们上节介绍的拉丁词contra-。所以，counter-的基本含义也是against，由此引申出opposite, in return等意义。除了在少量法语借词中counter-与词根结合之外，它基本上是个派生词缀，可以与名词、动词及少量形容词相缀合。当它与名词结合时，主要起修饰名词的作用， 一般不改变词基单词的词性。

先介绍counter-与词根结合的两个法语借词。

counterfeit [counter-= against 针对；feit (fac) = to make 制作“to make an imitation against the genuine 针对真品进行仿制”→] vt. copy (money，etc. ) in order to deceive; forge 伪造（货币等）；仿造 / He was sent to prison for counterfeiting five-dollar bills.他因伪造5元面值的钞票被送进了监狱。

counterfeiter n. 伪造者；造假币者

counterpoise [ counter-=against ; poise (peis) =weight 重量“a weight against another与另一重量相抗衡的重量”→] n . weight or force balancing another 平衡力，抵消力 / His robust strength was a counterpoise to the disease.强壮的体质帮他顶住了那场疾病。

下面是counter-与名词缀合生成名词派生词的几个例子。

counterbalance [ counter- = opposite 相反的；balance n. 平衡力=>“a balance opposite another 反向平衡力”n. weight or force that balances another 平衡力，抗衡/ Her husband's cool judgement was a counterbalance to her impulsiveness.她丈夫处 事冷静，这对她的冲动冒失起了平衡作用。