Counterchange

Part of speech: noun, verb

Definitions

1. A mutual exchange or reciprocal substitution of places, positions, or qualities between two things
2. A reciprocal alteration where two entities swap their characteristics, positions, or attributes with each other
3. The process involving a mutual transformation or exchange of traits, positions, or features between two subjects

Etymology: "Counterchange" entered English from Middle French "contrechange," a noun formed from "contrechanger," meaning to exchange or change in return. The French verb is built from "contre," "against" or "in return," and "changer," "to change," which descends from the Latin "cambiare," to barter or exchange money. So the English word carries the older sense of trade: a change made in response to another change, like a swap rather than a one-way alteration. The word's central idea is reciprocity. Where "change" describes one thing becoming different, "counterchange" describes two things altering each other, each taking on the other's features. That mutual quality is what the prefix "counter-" adds, the same sense found in "counterpart" and "counterweight," where one element answers and balances another.

Synonyms: exchange, swap, interchange

Antonyms: remain, stay