Plural of counter - flat surfaces for working on, or devices for counting, or people who count or serve customers. Can also mean things that oppose or contradict.
From Old French 'conteor' from Latin 'computare' meaning 'to calculate'. The surface meaning developed from the counting table used by merchants. The opposing sense comes from the prefix 'counter-' meaning 'against'.
The word 'counter' beautifully demonstrates polysemy - one word with multiple related meanings. From kitchen counters to store counters to countering arguments, each usage reflects the basic concept of a surface or point where different forces or activities meet.
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