An alternative or opposite life; in philosophy or fiction, a different existence that contrasts with one's actual life.
From counter- + life, from Old English lif. The compound suggests a life lived in opposition or alternative to the real one, popularized in modern fiction and philosophy.
Philip Roth's novel 'Counterlife' explores how people imagine totally different lives for themselves—it's wild to think about your counterlife: what if you'd made one different choice?
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