caunter dial. and Mining.
[app. a deriv. of cant n.1 or v.2; but the value of the -er is doubtful. App. diffused in Mining use from Cornwall.]
A. as n. (or ? absol. use of adj.): a. (also caunter-lode), a lode crossing the general direction of the veins in a mine, a cross-vein.
| 1810 J. T. in Risdon's Surv. Devon p. xiii, Besides the east and west veins, others are found which run either north or south, or on points of the compass between these; they are called by the miner cross lodes, cross courses, or caunters. 1858 Simmonds Dict. Trade, Caunter-lode, a lode which inclines at a considerable angle to the other contiguous veins. 1881 Raymond Mining Gloss. |
b. (See quot.)
| 1880 W. Cornwall Gloss., Caunter, a cross-handed blow. |
B. adj. (or ? attrib.) Crossing, cross, transverse.
| 1880 Prospectus of W. Frontino & Bolivia Gold Mining Co. 3 The several lodes..have a strike..crossed by a great number of caunter branches, or feeders. |