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Counterfoil: meaning, definitions and examples

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counterfoil

 

[ ˈkaʊntəfɔɪl ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

financial document

A counterfoil is a portion of a document that is detached or retained as a record after the main part has been issued. It often serves as proof of a transaction, especially in financial contexts, and is commonly used in receipts, tickets, and checks. The counterfoil typically contains essential information such as the date, amount, and details of the transaction, which can be referenced later for record-keeping purposes. This component is vital for accountability and tracking in both personal and business finances.

Synonyms

receipt, stub, voucher

Examples of usage

  • Please keep the counterfoil for your records.
  • The ticket's counterfoil serves as proof of purchase.
  • I need the counterfoil to claim a refund.
  • The counterfoil was stamped upon entry.

Translations

Translations of the word "counterfoil" in other languages:

🇵🇹 contrafólio

🇮🇳 काउंटरफोइल

🇩🇪 Hauptscheck

🇮🇩 bukti pembayaran

🇺🇦 контрфольга

🇵🇱 counterfoil

🇯🇵 カウンターフォイル

🇫🇷 contremarque

🇪🇸 contratapa

🇹🇷 kontrfolyo

🇰🇷 카운터폴

🇸🇦 بطاقة مضادة

🇨🇿 counterfoil

🇸🇰 counterfoil

🇨🇳 对账单

🇸🇮 odrezek

🇮🇸 aðskiljanlegur hluti

🇰🇿 контрфольга

🇬🇪 კონტრაფოლი

🇦🇿 kağız

🇲🇽 contratapa

Word origin

The word 'counterfoil' originated in the late 16th century, derived from the combination of 'counter', meaning an opposite or corresponding part, and 'foil', which is from the Old French 'foile' meaning sheet or leaf. Historically, it referred to the practice of duplicating documents and retaining a part as verification. It played a crucial role in the evolving of financial and administrative practices, enabling proper record-keeping and accountability. As commerce expanded, so did the usage of counterfoils in various transactional contexts, including banking, ticket sales, and inventory management. The transfer of this term into modern usage illustrates the importance of transparency and verification in financial dealings.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,449, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.