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, Cowntir, n.2 Also: countere, -tir. [ME. (rare) and e.m.E. counter, var. of countour Countour. See also Cunter and Compter n. 2]
1. A counting-table.1463 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 23.
Item, a counter and a schryne 1489 Acta Conc. II. 297.
A covering to the countere 1501 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 91.
A doubil countir, … a press, a counter, a almery 1540 Maxwell Mem. 283.
Ane stand bed of Estland burd, … ane cowntir 1612 Edinb. Test. XLVII. 63 b.
In the defunctis awin hous ane counter, meit buird, almerye
b. Attrib. with almerie, box, table, tafle.1590 Edinb. Test. XXII. 261 b.
Ane counter almerie of fir; ane veschell bink of fir 1675 Bk. Old Edinb. C. VI. 129.
Ane press ambry, ane counter ambry —1632 Edinb. Test. LVI. 24.
Ane dussone … counter-boxis —1661 Brechin Test. VI. 205 b.
Ane counter table of firr Ib. 207.
Ane counter tafle, ane seat at the head thairof
2. A counter for reckoning with.1562 Edinb. B. Deeds 63.
Ane penner & ink horne, ane stand of counteris 1611 Edinb. Test. XLVI. 320.
Twa dosone buistis with thair countirs 1664 Inventory 3 (Reg. H.).
Fourtein vnce of brass counters