counter-作為英語本族語的前綴，大約出現(xiàn)在15世紀(jì)左右，它的前身是古法語的countre ,始祖卻正是我們上節(jié)介紹的拉丁詞contra-。所以，counter-的基本含義也是against，由此引申出opposite, in return等意義。除了在少量法語借詞中counter-與詞根結(jié)合之外，它基本上是個(gè)派生詞綴，可以與名詞、動詞及少量形容詞相綴合。當(dāng)它與名詞結(jié)合時(shí)，主要起修飾名詞的作用， 一般不改變詞基單詞的詞性。

先介紹counter-與詞根結(jié)合的兩個(gè)法語借詞。

counterfeit [counter-= against 針對；feit (fac) = to make 制作“to make an imitation against the genuine 針對真品進(jìn)行仿制”→] vt. copy (money，etc. ) in order to deceive; forge 偽造（貨幣等）；仿造 / He was sent to prison for counterfeiting five-dollar bills.他因偽造5元面值的鈔票被送進(jìn)了監(jiān)獄。

counterfeiter n. 偽造者；造假幣者

counterpoise [ counter-=against ; poise (peis) =weight 重量“a weight against another與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.強(qiáng)壯的體質(zhì)幫他頂住了那場疾病。

下面是counter-與名詞綴合生成名詞派生詞的幾個(gè)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.她丈夫處 事冷靜，這對她的沖動冒失起了平衡作用。