Word of the Day : May 16, 2019

countermand \KOUNT-er-mand\ verb

Definition

1 : to revoke (a command) by a contrary order

2 : to recall or order back by a superseding contrary order

Did You Know?

In the military, one's mandate is to follow the commands (and sometimes the countermands) of the officers. Doing their bidding is not particularly commendable—it's simply mandatory. The Latin verb mandare, meaning "to entrust" or "to order," is the authority behind countermand. It's also behind the words mandate, command, demand, commend (which can mean "to entrust" as well as "to praise"), and mandatory. Countermand came to English via Anglo French, where the prefix cuntre- ("against") was combined with the verb mander ("to command"). It has been a part of our language since the 1400s.

Aired May 16, 2019

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