counteractiveadj.n.
/kaʊntərˈaktɪv/ A. adj.
a. Tending to counteract.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > [adjective] > operating against
counterworking1660
contra-acting1666
counteracting1793
counteractive1805
1805 J. Foster Ess. i. iii. 45 Circumstances..of an entirely counteractive order.
1880 M. Collins Thoughts in Garden I. 89 The innumerable counteractive and constructive agencies.
b. analytically. Active in opposition.Apparently an isolated use.
ΚΠ
1847 L. Hunt Men, Women, & Bks. I. iii. 40 It only made him..look extremely counter-active and frowning.
B. n.
A counteracting agent or force.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > [noun] > contrary operation or action > that which
antidote1548
orvietan1654
counteracter1805
counter-agent1821
counteraction1822
counteractive1848
counteractant1884
1848 J. S. Mill Princ. Polit. Econ. iii. xxiv. §5 It must..meet all drains by counteractives more or less strong.
1865 D. Masson Recent Brit. Philos. 54 Benthamism in Britain would have had no adequate counteractive.
Derivatives
counterˈactively adv.
ΚΠ
1864 in Webster's Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1893; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.n.1805