countersign
(redirected from countersigns)Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus.
Countersign
The inscription of one's name at the end of a writing, done by a secretary or a subordinate, to attest to the fact that such a writing has been signed by a principal or a superior, thereby vouching for the genuineness of the signature. To write one's name at the end of a document—in addition to the inscription of a name by another—to attest to the authenticity of the signature.
West's Encyclopedia of American Law, edition 2. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
countersign
to sign (a document already signed by another).Collins Dictionary of Law © W.J. Stewart, 2006
COUNTERSIGN. To countersign is to sign on the opposite side of an instrument already signed by some other person or officer, in order to secure its character of a genuine paper; as a bank note is signed by the president and countersigned by the cashier.
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States. By John Bouvier. Published 1856.