English Explanatory Dictionary

counterpart

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Either of two parts that fit together, or complement one another.
  2. A duplicate of a legal document.
  3. One who or that which resembles another.
  4. One who or that which has corresponding functions or characteristics.
  5. Either half of a flattened fossil when the rock has split along the plane of the fossil.
verb
  1. To counterbalance.

Pronunciation

/ˈkaʊntəˌpɑːt/ /ˈkaʊntɚˌpɑɹt/ en-us-counterpart.ogg

Word forms

counterpart counterparts counterparting counterparted

Etymology

From Middle English conterpart, countre parte (“duplicate of a legal document”), equivalent to counter- + part. Compare Old French contrepartie, itself from contre (“facing, opposite”) (from Latin contra (“against”)) + partie (“copy of a person or thing”) (originally past participle of partīre (“to divide”)).

Synonyms

equivalent obverse homolog opposite number pendant counterpart parallel

Related words

counterbalance counterpoint countersign counterweight complement homotype partner alter ego spitting image decoy substitute

Derived words

counterpart theory
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