countersign

[n., v. koun-ter-sahyn; v. also koun-ter-sahyn] /n., v. ˈkaʊn tərˌsaɪn; v. also ˌkaʊn tərˈsaɪn/
noun
1.
a sign used in reply to another sign.
2.
Military. a secret sign that must be given by authorized persons seeking admission through a guarded area.
3.
a signature added to another signature, especially for authentication.
verb (used with object)
4.
to sign (a document that has been signed by someone else), especially in confirmation or authentication.
Origin
1585-95; counter- + sign, modeled on Middle French contresigne, or its source, Old Italian contrasegno
Examples from the web for countersign
  • All persons or objects that answer to the same countersign or that bear the same imprint are thereby stamped as somehow related.
  • Also, the town board may authorize the comptroller to countersign all checks signed by the supervisor.
British Dictionary definitions for countersign

countersign

verb (ˈkaʊntəˌsaɪn; ˌkaʊntəˈsaɪn)
1.
(transitive) to sign (a document already signed by another)
noun (ˈkaʊntəˌsaɪn)
2.
Also called countersignature. the signature so written
3.
a secret sign given in response to another sign
4.
(mainly military) a password
Word Origin and History for countersign
n.

1590s, from Middle French contresigne, from contre- "against" (see contra-) + signe "sign" (see sign (n.)).