countermand

Etymology

From Old French contremander, from Medieval Latin contramandō, from contra- + mandō (“I order; I command”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˌkaʊntəˈmɑːnd/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈkaʊntɚˌmænd/, /ˌkaʊntɚˈmænd/

Verb

countermand (third-person singular simple present countermands, present participle countermanding, simple past and past participle countermanded)

1. To revoke (a former command); to cancel or rescind by giving an order contrary to one previously given.

   to countermand an order for goods

2. To recall a person or unit with such an order.
3. To prohibit; to forbid.
   • Harvey

     Avicen countermands letting blood in choleric bodles.

4. To oppose; to revoke the command of.
   • Hooker

     For us to alter anything, is to lift ourselves against God; and, as it were, to countermand him.

Noun

countermand (plural countermands)

1. An order to the contrary of a previous one.