counterpoint

¹coun·ter·point

noun \ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌpȯint\

Definition of COUNTERPOINT

1

a : one or more independent melodies added above or below a given melody b : the combination of two or more independent melodies into a single harmonic texture in which each retains its linear character : polyphony

2

a : a complementing or contrasting item : opposite b : use of contrast or interplay of elements in a work of art (as a drama)

Examples of COUNTERPOINT

1. The guitar and bass are played in counterpoint.
2. The dressing is a refreshing counterpoint to the spicy chicken.
3. The painting is a pleasant counterpoint to his earlier works.
4. The music works in counterpoint to the images on the screen.

Origin of COUNTERPOINT

Middle English, from Middle French contrepoint, from Medieval Latin contrapunctus, from Latin contra- counter- + Medieval Latin punctus musical note, melody, from Latin, act of pricking, from pungere to prick — more at pungent

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, madrigal, obbligato, presto, presto, refrain, riff, segue

Rhymes with COUNTERPOINT

at gunpoint, at knifepoint, basis point, boiling point, breaking point, brownie point, cardinal point, Curie point, disappoint, extra point, floating-point, focal point, freezing point, growing point, ideal point, knuckle joint, melting point, miter joint, needlepoint, out of joint, pedal point, petit point, point-to-point, pressure point, rabbet joint, selling point, silverpoint, sticking point, strain a point, stretch a point, talking point, to the point, trigger point, triple point, turning point, vantage point, vowel point