A blow or attack made in response to another's blow; a counterattack or defensive strike.
From counter- + stroke (from Old English strācian, meaning to stroke or strike). A fundamental military and combat term for responsive striking action.
Sword fighting manuals from the Renaissance obsess over counterstroke—the ability to block an attack and immediately strike back in one fluid motion. Modern martial arts still teach this principle: good defense isn't just blocking, it's the counterstroke that follows.
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