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counterpoint

noun
/ˈkaʊntə(ɹ)ˌpɔɪnt/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English [Term?], from Middle French contrepoint, from Medieval Latin contrāpūnctum. Equivalent to counter- + point.

  1. derived from contrāpūnctum
  2. derived from contrepoint

Definitions

  1. A melody added to an existing one, especially one added to provide harmony whilst each…

    A melody added to an existing one, especially one added to provide harmony whilst each retains its simultaneous identity; a composition consisting of such contrapuntal melodies.

    • I noticed […] that when a very cheesy synthesized violin sound plays in counterpoint with a real violin, it can quite convincingly seem as if two violins are playing.

  2. Any similar contrasting element in a work of art.

    • As counterpoints to the glamorous looks of 1980s models such as Chistie Brinkley and Heidi Klum, heroin chic looks such as Kate Moss were thin to the point of anorectic gauntness.

  3. An opposite point.

    • […] Priests; who affecting in them selves and their followers a certein Angelical puritie, fell sodainly to the very counterpoint of justifying bestialitie.
  4. ›+ 3 more definitions

    1. To compose or arrange such music.

    2. To serve as an opposing point against.

    3. Obsolete form of counterpane.

The neighborhood

Vish — recursive loop

No curated loop yet for counterpoint. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.

sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA