Compter
(ˈkaʊntə(r))
Old spelling of counter n. (q.v. for etymology and history), formerly used in all senses, and from the 17th c. the official spelling of the word as:
The name of certain city prisons for debtors, etc. in London, Southwark, Exeter, etc.
The two London Compters or Counters are mentioned in the 15th c.: they were the Poultry C., taken down in 1817, and the Bread Street C., succeeded in 1555 by the Wood Street C., and this in 1791 by the Giltspur Street C., closed in 1854.
| 1428–1700 [see counter]. 1617 Fennor (title) The Comptor's Commonwealth, or a Voiage made to an Infernall Iland. c 1630 Risdon Surv. of Devon §107 (1810) 111 In the south gate are two common prisons, also a coumpter, for such as be arrested upon actions at any man's suit. a 1652 Brome Damoiselle i. i. Wks. 1873 I. 387 How got you hither? Could not the Compter hold you? 1683 Secret Serv. Moneys Chas. II & Jas. II (1851) 83 To Richard Normansell, secondary of Wood Street Compter. 1777 Howard Prisons Eng. (1780) 36 The two Compters are near enough to be taken care of by the same gentlemen. 1829 London in 19th c. II. 117 [a print of ‘Giltspur Street Compter’ as then existing.] 1879 Morley Burke 43 If the House of Commons could send their citizens to Newgate, they could send its messenger to the Compter. |