counterfire means the firing of weapons in response. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 89 out of 100.
Etymology
From counter- + fire.
noun
- The firing of weapons in response.“The Nationalist Defense Ministry claimed Communist guns on the mainland coast were silenced by effective counterfire. By Nationalist count, the Reds fired 444 shells, of which 162 hit Matsu Island, 112 Peikantang Island and 170 landed in the sea.”
- A smaller fire lit at some distance from a wildfire, in order to develop a firebreak.
verb
- To light a smaller fire at some distance from a wildfire, in order to develop a firebreak.