counterpoint

coun·ter·point

 (koun′tər-point′)

n.

1. Music

a. Melodic material that is added above or below an existing melody.

b. The technique of combining two or more melodic lines in such a way that they establish a harmonic relationship while retaining their linear individuality.

c. A composition or piece that incorporates or consists of contrapuntal writing.

2.

a. A contrasting but parallel element, item, or theme.

b. Use of contrasting elements in a work of art.

tr.v. coun·ter·point·ed, coun·ter·point·ing, coun·ter·points

1. Music To write or arrange (music) in counterpoint.

2. To set in contrast: "The complex, clotted computer talk sadly counterpoints the simplistic nature of the characters" (Rhoda Koenig).

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

counterpoint

(ˈkaʊntəˌpɔɪnt)

n

1. (Music, other) the technique involving the simultaneous sounding of two or more parts or melodies

2. (Music, other) a melody or part combined with another melody or part. See also descant¹

3. (Music, other) the musical texture resulting from the simultaneous sounding of two or more melodies or parts

4. (Music, other) strict counterpoint the application of the rules of counterpoint as an academic exercise

5. a contrasting or interacting element, theme, or item; foil

6. (Poetry) prosody the use of a stress or stresses at variance with the regular metrical stress

vb

(tr) to set in contrast

[C15: from Old French contrepoint, from contre- counter- + point dot, note in musical notation, that is, an accompaniment set against the notes of a melody]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

coun•ter•point

(ˈkaʊn tərˌpɔɪnt)

n.

1. polyphony (def. 1).

2. the texture resulting from the combining of individual melodic lines.

3. a melody composed to be combined with another melody.

4. any element that is juxtaposed and contrasted with another.

v.t.

5. to emphasize or set off by contrast or juxtaposition.

[1400–50; late Middle English < Middle French contrepoint, translation of Medieval Latin (cantus) contrāpūnctus literally, (song) pointed or pricked against, referring to notes of an accompaniment written over or under the notes of a plainsong]

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

counterpoint

Past participle: counterpointed
Gerund: counterpointing

Imperative

counterpoint

counterpoint

Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011

counterpoint

Two or more melodic lines combined harmoniously.

Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	counterpoint - a musical form involving the simultaneous sound of two or more melodies concerted music, polyphonic music, polyphony - music arranged in parts for several voices or instruments inversion - (counterpoint) a variation of a melody or part in which ascending intervals are replaced by descending intervals and vice versa
Verb	1.	counterpoint - to show differences when compared; be different; "the students contrast considerably in their artistic abilities" contrast differ - be different; "These two tests differ in only one respect" counterbalance, oppose - contrast with equal weight or force conflict - be in conflict; "The two proposals conflict!" foil - enhance by contrast; "In this picture, the figures are foiled against the background"
	2.	counterpoint - write in counterpoint; "Bach perfected the art of counterpointing" music - an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner compose, write - write music; "Beethoven composed nine symphonies"

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

counterpoint

noun

Related words
adjective contrapuntal

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

counterpoint

noun

Striking difference between compared individuals:

contrast.

The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Translations

Kontrapunkt

contrapunto

contrepoint

ellenpontkontrapunkt

contrappunto

контрапункт

counterpoint

[ˈkaʊntəpɔɪnt]

A. N (Mus, fig) → contrapunto m

B. VT (fig) → poner el contrapunto a

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