COUNTERFOIL • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Counterfoil

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noun

Counterfoil n.

That part of a tally, formerly in the exchequer, which was kept by an officer in that court, the other, called the stock, being delivered to the person who had lent the king money on the account; called also counterstock. (Eng.)

The part of a writing (as the stub of a bank check) in which are noted the main particulars contained in the corresponding part, which has been issued.

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Etymology of 'Counterfoil'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Counterfoil" Quotes from Famous Books

... of the banking system of the 19th century. For details see BANKS AND BANKING: Law, and BILL OF EXCHANGE. The word check,[1] of which "cheque" is a variant now general in English usage, signified merely the counterfoil or indent of an exchequer bill, or any draft form of payment, on which was registered the particulars of the principal part, as a check to alteration or forgery. The check or counterfoil parts remained in the hands of the banker, the portion ...

— Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1 - "Chtelet" to "Chicago" • Various

... of Mr. Wells—one of the beast folk; while the murderous henchman, Ricardo, is unpleasantly put before us. I like the girl; it would have been so easy to spoil her with moralising; but the Baron is the magnet, and, as a counterfoil, the diabolical German hotel keeper. There is too much arbitrary handling at the close for my taste. Only in the opening chapters of Victory does Mr. Conrad pursue his oblique method of taletelling; the ...

— Ivory Apes and Peacocks • James Huneker