verb, adj — 3 senses
Etymology From counter- + value. The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., records the first use of the word in 1660 and the first use in the modern sense in 1965, where it is described as a "euphemism for attacking cities".
Government, Military, Politics, War To target an opponent's assets which are of value but not actually a military threat, such as cities and civilian populations.
To make a counter estimate of something's value.
Etymology From counter- + value. The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., records the first use of the word in 1660 and the first use in the modern sense in 1965, where it is described as a "euphemism for attacking cities".
Government, Military, Politics, War Targeting an opponent's assets which are of value but not actually a military threat, such as cities and civilian populations.
Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.