counterfoil

[ koun-ter-foil ]

noun

, Chiefly British.

1. a part of a bank check, money order, etc., that is kept by the issuer and on which a record of the transaction is made; stub.

counterfoil

/ ˈkaʊntəˌfɔɪl /

noun

1. the part of a cheque, postal order, receipt, etc, detached and retained as a record of the transaction Also called (esp US and Canadian)stub

Word History and Origins

Origin of counterfoil¹

First recorded in 1700–10; counter- + foil ²

Example Sentences

The Stones came away with a patina of aristocratic decadence that served as a perfect counterfoil to the raw roots blues of their music.”

From Los Angeles Times

He acted in more than 100 Bollywood films and was widely seen as a counterfoil to the "angry young man" played by Amitabh Bachchan.

From BBC

As a result of the abolition of the paper counterfoil, all evidence of driving endorsements and convictions will be held online only.

From BBC

Then, taking plenty of time, he filled in the counterfoil.

From Literature

In one of the small drawers of the dressing-table he discovered the millionaire's cheque-book; and since he could read English tolerably well, he spent a pleasant five minutes studying the counterfoils.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• certificate
• voucher