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Glite Dictionary
📡 Detecting enemy guns 💣 Artillery attack 🎯 To attack artillery
counterbattery

counterbattery

9.0
Fire from guns aimed at enemy heavy guns to stop them
  • noun
  • /ˌkaʊntərˈbætəri/
  • Specialized
translation icon : fuego de contrabatería
  • The success of the operation hinged on accurate counterbattery strikes against the opposing forces.
  • counterbattery fire

Examples

  • I don't know whether this response is my "counterbattery fire" or bringing a knife to a gunfight (which is actually quite a good idea at some ranges and for some kinds of guns).

    Blog text (23)

  • The commander ordered a rapid counterbattery to silence the enemy's artillery fire.

  • During the battle, they implemented effective counterbattery measures to protect their troops.

Synonyms

artillery fire
vscounterbattery
  • Specialized
7 6.9

A heavy attack by military guns and cannons on enemy positions

is specifically about attacking enemy weapon positions rather than general firing
counterbattery fire
vscounterbattery
  • Specialized
8.3

Fire from big guns aimed at enemy guns to destroy them

is the shorter compound form with identical meaning
counterbombardment
vscounterbattery
  • Specialized
9.9

An attack using heavy guns to destroy the enemy's weapons

is limited to attacks against enemy weapon positions rather than any heavy-weapon assault
counterfire
vscounterbattery
  • Specialized
8.0

Gunfire aimed to destroy enemy weapons or positions

is focused on heavy-weapon positions not all firing locations

Compounds

counterbattery fire
  • Specialized
8.3

Fire from big guns aimed at enemy guns to destroy them

How Intense

saturation bombing
  • NSFW
1 8.2
counterbattery
  • Specialized
9.0
harassing fire
  • Specialized
9.3

Surface Forms

counterbattery singular
counterbatteries plural

Morphology

counterbattery = battery (semi-transparent) = counter + battery

Meaning is directly built from 'counter-' + 'battery' (artillery), but 'battery' must be interpreted in the military sense rather than the more familiar electrical sense.

Etymology

Counterbattery comes from counter 'against' and battery 'a group of guns' or 'artillery fire'. A helpful way to remember it is that counterbattery is the gun fire sent 'against' enemy guns to stop them.