counteract
|coun/ter/act|
B2
/ˌkaʊntərˈækt/
neutralize effect
Etymology
Etymology Information
'counteract' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'contra-' meaning 'against' and 'actum' meaning 'to do'.
Historical Evolution
'contra-' combined with 'actum' in Latin evolved into the French word 'contre-acter', and eventually became the modern English word 'counteract'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to act against', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
to act against something in order to reduce its force or neutralize it.
The medication is used to counteract the effects of the poison.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:39