counterclaim

 
Pronunciation: /ˈkaʊntəkleɪm/

noun

  • a claim made to rebut a previous claim: monitoring programmes set up in the wake of these various claims and counterclaims will resolve the issue
  • Law a claim made by a defendant against a plaintiff: the debtor has an arguable counterclaim for damages

verb

[no object] chiefly Law
  • make a counterclaim for something: he counterclaimed for damages for breach of the covenant [with object]: she counterclaimed damages for late delivery