A thrust or forward push made in response to an opponent's attack, especially in fencing or combat.
From counter- (against) + thrust (to push forcefully). The prefix counter- comes from Latin contra- meaning 'against,' while thrust has Germanic origins relating to pushing motion. The term developed in medieval fencing terminology.
Fencing masters developed this vocabulary to describe split-second defensive maneuvers—counterthrust captures the simultaneous attack-and-defense nature of skilled sword fighting, where the best defense is often an immediate counterattack.
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