Meanings
- not comparableraregovernmentIn a way that is counter to something else, for example in colour (being divided, as a field, bordure, etc, into different colours), or placement (facing different directions, or crossed).
N. 23. Gules, a cherub, having three pair of wings, whereof the uppermost and lowermost are counterly crossed, and the middlemost displayed or, name, Buocafoco.
1829, Hugh Clark, An Introduction to Heraldry ...: The Whole Forming a Complete Manual of Rank and Nobility, page 481 more example
3 He beareth Azure a Bordure counter-componed: Or, and Guiles; which is as much to say, as Compounded of these two Colours counterly placed. Note that Countercompony consisteth euermore of two tracts onely and no more.
1611, John Guillim, John Barkham, A Display of Heraldrie: Manifesting a More Easie Accesse to the Knowledge Thereof Then Hath Beene Hitherto Published by Any, Through the Benefit of Method, Whereinto it is Now Reduced by the Industry of Joh. Gwillim Pursuiuant of Armes, page 18
Cite this entry
counterly. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/counterly
“counterly.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/counterly. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “counterly,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/counterly.
Source: counterly on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.