Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

binary counter
     
         A digital circuit which has a clock
        input and a number of count outputs which give the number of
        clock cycles.  The output may change either on rising or
        falling clock edges.  The circuit may also have a reset input
        which sets all outputs to zero when asserted.  The counter may
        be either a {synchronous counter} or a {ripple counter}.
     
        (1997-07-03)