Word Study
countermand
CIDE DICTIONARY
countermand, v. t. [F. contremander; contre (L. contra) + mander to command, fr. L. mandare. Cf. Mandate.].
- To revoke (a former command); to cancel or rescind by giving an order contrary to one previously given; as, to countermand an order for goods. [1913 Webster]
- To prohibit; to forbid. [1913 Webster]"Avicen countermands letting blood in choleric bodies." [1913 Webster]
- To oppose; to revoke the command of. [1913 Webster]"For us to alter anything, is to lift ourselves against God; and, as it were, to countermand him." [1913 Webster]
countermand, n.
A contrary order; revocation of a former order or command. [1913 Webster]
"Have you no countermand for Claudio yet,
But he must die to-morrow?" [1913 Webster]
But he must die to-morrow?" [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
countermand, v. & n.
--v.tr.
1 Mil. a revoke (an order or command). b recall (forces etc.) by a contrary order.
2 cancel an order for (goods etc.).
--n. an order revoking a previous one.
--v.tr.
1 Mil. a revoke (an order or command). b recall (forces etc.) by a contrary order.
2 cancel an order for (goods etc.).
--n. an order revoking a previous one.
Etymology
ME f. OF contremander f. med.L contramandare (as CONTRA-, mandare order)
THESAURUS
countermand
abolish, abolishment, abolition, abrogate, abrogation, annul, annulment, baffle, balk, blast, brave, cancel, canceling, cancellation, cassation, challenge, checkmate, circumvent, confound, confront, contravene, counter, counteract, counterorder, counterwork, cross, dash, defeasance, defeat, defy, destroy, disannul, discomfit, disconcert, discountenance, dish, disrupt, do away with, elude, flummox, foil, frustrate, invalidate, invalidation, knock the chocks, make void, nonplus, nullification, nullify, override, overrule, perplex, recall, recant, recantation, renege, repeal, rescind, rescinding, rescindment, rescission, retract, retraction, reversal, reverse, revocation, revoke, revokement, ruin, sabotage, scotch, set aside, setting aside, spike, spoil, stonewall, stump, suspend, suspension, thwart, upset, vacate, vacation, vacatur, void, voidance, voiding, waive, waiver, waiving, withdraw, withdrawal, write off, write-offROGET THESAURUS
countermand
Abrogation
N abrogation, annulment, nullification, recision, vacatur, canceling, cancel, revocation, revokement, repeal, rescission, defeasance, dismissal, conge, demission, bounce, deposal, deposition, dethronement, disestablishment, disendowment, deconsecration, sack, walking papers, pink slip, walking ticket, yellow cover, abolition, abolishment, dissolution, counter order, countermand, repudiation, retraction, retractation, recantation, abolitionist, abrogated, functus officio, Int, get along with you!, begone!, go about your business!, away with!.VB abrogate, annul, cancel, destroy, abolish, revoke, repeal, rescind, reverse, retract, recall, abolitionize, overrule, override, set aside, disannul, dissolve, quash, nullify, declare null and void, disestablish, disendow, deconsecrate, disclaim, ignore, repudiate, recant, divest oneself, break off, countermand, counter order, do away with, sweep away, brush away, throw overboard, throw to the dogs, scatter to the winds, cast behind, dismiss, discard, cast off, turn off, cast out, cast adrift, cast out of doors, cast aside, cast away, send off, send away, send packing, send about one's business, discharge, get rid of, bounce, fire, fire out, sack, cashier, break, oust, unseat, unsaddle, unthrone, dethrone, disenthrone, depose, uncrown, unfrock, strike off the roll, disbar, disbench, be abrogated, receive its quietus, walk the plank.
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