a spy working against or investigating enemy espionage
counterspy in American English
(ˈkaʊntərˌspaɪ)
nounWord forms: pluralˈcounterspies
a spy used in counterespionage
counterspy in American English
(ˈkauntərˌspai)
nounWord forms: plural-spies
a spy active in counterespionage
Word origin
[1935–40; counter- + spy]This word is first recorded in the period 1935–40. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: aeroembolism, fluorocarbon, gangbuster, hard core, walk-throughcounter- is a combining form with the meanings “against,” “contrary,” “opposite,” “in oppositionor response to” (countermand); “complementary,” “in reciprocation,” “corresponding,” “parallel” (counterfoil; counterbalance); “substitute,” “duplicate” (counterfeit)