counterpoint

• POS: Noun, Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: coun=ter=point

CIDE DICTIONARY

counterpoint, n. [Counter- + point.].

 An opposite point  Sir E. Sandys.  [1913 Webster]

counterpoint, n. [F. contrepoint; cf. It. contrappunto. Cf. Contrapuntal.].

 The setting of note against note in harmony; the adding of one or more parts to a given canto fermo or melody  [1913 Webster]
"Counterpoint, an invention equivalent to a new creation of music."  [1913 Webster]

counterpoint, n. [OF. contrepoincte, corruption of earlier counstepointe, countepointe, F. courtepointe, fr. L. culcita cushion, mattress (see Quilt, and cf. Cushion) + puncta, fem. p. p. of pungere to prick (see Point). The word properly meant a stitched quilt, with the colors broken one into another.].

 A coverlet; a cover for a bed, often stitched or broken into squares; a counterpane. See 1st Counterpane.  [1913 Webster]
"Embroidered coverlets or counterpoints of purple silk."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

counterpoint, n. & v.
--n.
1 Mus. a the art or technique of setting, writing, or playing a melody or melodies in conjunction with another, according to fixed rules. b a melody played in conjunction with another.
2 a contrasting argument, plot, idea, or literary theme, etc., used to set off the main element.
--v.tr.
1 Mus. add counterpoint to.
2 set (an argument, plot, etc.) in contrast to (a main element).

Idiom

strict counterpoint an academic exercise in writing counterpoint, not necessarily intended as a composition.

Etymology

OF contrepoint f. med.L contrapunctum pricked or marked opposite, i.e. to the original melody (as CONTRA-, pungere punct- prick)

THESAURUS

counterpoint

Alexandrine, Ambrosian chant, accent, accentuation, amphibrach, amphimacer, anacrusis, anapest, antipode, antipodes, antipole, antispast, antithesis, antonym, arsis, bacchius, beat, cadence, caesura, catalexis, chloriamb, chloriambus, colon, contra, contrapunto, converse, counter, counterbalance, countercheck, counterpoise, counterpole, counterterm, cretic, dactyl, dactylic hexameter, diaeresis, dimeter, dipody, dochmiac, elegiac, elegiac couplet, elegiac pentameter, emphasis, epitrite, false music, faux-bourdon, feminine caesura, foil, foot, heptameter, heptapody, heroic couplet, hexameter, hexapody, iamb, iambic, iambic pentameter, ictus, inverse, ionic, jingle, lilt, masculine caesura, measure, meter, metrical accent, metrical foot, metrical group, metrical unit, metron, molossus, mora, movement, musica ficta, numbers, obverse, offset, opposite, opposite number, paeon, pentameter, pentapody, period, polyphonism, polyphony, proceleusmatic, pyrrhic, quantity, reverse, rhythm, setoff, spondee, sprung rhythm, stress, swing, syzygy, tetrameter, tetrapody, tetraseme, the contrary, the other side, thesis, tribrach, trimeter, tripody, triseme, trochee, vis-a-vis

ROGET THESAURUS

counterpoint

Concord

N concord, accord, harmony, symphony, homologue, agreement, sympathy, empathy, response, union, unison, unity, bonds of harmony, peace, unanimity, league, happy family, rapprochement, reunion, amity, alliance, entente cordiale, good understanding, conciliation, peacemaker, intercessor, mediator, concordant, congenial, agreeing, in accord, harmonious, united, cemented, banded together, allied, friendly, fraternal, conciliatory, at one with, of one mind, at peace, in still water, tranquil, with one voice, in concert with, hand in hand, on one's side, commune periculum concordiam parit, melody concord, melody, rhythm, measure, rhyme, pitch, timbre, intonation, tone, scale, gamut, diapason, diatonic chromatic scale, enharmonic scale, key, clef, chords, modulation, temperament, syncope, syncopation, preparation, suspension, resolution, staff, stave, line, space, brace, bar, rest, appoggiato, appoggiatura, acciaccatura, note, musical note, notes of a scale, sharp, flat, natural, high note, low note, interval, semitone, second, third, fourth, diatessaron, breve, semibreve, minim, crotchet, quaver, semiquaver, demisemiquaver, hemidemisemiquaver, sustained note, drone, burden, tonic, key note, leading note, fundamental note, supertonic, mediant, dominant, submediant, subdominant, octave, tetrachord, major key, minor key, major scale, minor scale, major mode, minor mode, passage, phrase, concord, harmony, emmeleia, unison, unisonance, chime, homophony, euphony, euphonism, tonality, consonance, consent, part, harmony, harmonics, thorough-bass, fundamental-bass, counterpoint, faburden, piece of music, composer, harmonist, contrapuntist (musician), harmonious, harmonical, in concord, in tune, in concert, unisonant, concentual, symphonizing, isotonic, homophonous, assonant, ariose, consonant, measured, rhythmical, diatonic, chromatic, enharmonic, melodious, musical, melic, tuneful, tunable, sweet, dulcet, canorous, mellow, mellifluous, soft, clear, clear as a bell, silvery, euphonious, euphonic, euphonical, symphonious, enchanting fine-toned, full-toned, silver-toned, harmoniously, in harmony, as one, the hidden soul of harmony.