Meaning of countersense | Babel Free

Definitions

1. An opposite meaning.
   countable, uncountable
2. A nonsensical idea; a contradiction in terms; something that contradicts an established principle, architectural or musical style, etc.
   countable, uncountable

Equivalents

Examples

“Moreover, I find⟳ there are ſome Words now in French which are turn'd to a counterſenſe, as we uſe the Dutch Word Crank in Engliſh to be well-diſpos'd, which in the Original ſignifieth to be ſick; ſo in French, Cocu is taken for one whoſe Wife is light⟳, and hath made him a paſſive Cuckold; whereas clean⟳ contrary, Cocu, which is the Cuckoo, doth uſe to lay⟳ her Eggs in another Birds Neſt.”

“But in order⟳ to gauge the concept of Evil in all its forms we must compare⟳ it with the corresponding forms of Good. For the law of relativity applies here as elsewhere, giving us sense⟳ and countersense, thesis and antithesis, positive and negative.”

“Panurge's comedy is the agony of indecision as he struggles obstinately and vainly to interpret⟳ every unfavorable omen in its countersense, to substitute his willful imagining for reality and fate.”

“On that line we reach⟳ simply the old countersense: "All is Reality" is as meaningless a proposition as "All is Illusion."”

“A state theatre, where it exists in a democratic country, is always a legacy from an autocratic past. If it be a worthy and well-managed theatre, to which popular sentiment is habituated, it is no doubt⟳ a highly desirable legacy. But for a democracy, and especially an Anglo-Saxon democracy, to set⟳ about creating such a theatre would be, I think⟳, a countersense.”

“This Introit is to be sung broadly, but always without heaviness, and almost in half voice, without great nuances, and in a rather low tonality. It would give⟳ a serious countersense to sing⟳ it with a great cry⟳ of joy, and to give⟳ it "éclat" under the pretext that "it is Easter".”

CEFR level