counterpoint
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Related to counterpoint: counterpunch
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 descant 1
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.
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 |
| Present |
|---|
| I counterpoint |
| you counterpoint |
| he/she/it counterpoints |
| we counterpoint |
| you counterpoint |
| they counterpoint |
| Preterite |
|---|
| I counterpointed |
| you counterpointed |
| he/she/it counterpointed |
| we counterpointed |
| you counterpointed |
| they counterpointed |
| Present Continuous |
|---|
| I am counterpointing |
| you are counterpointing |
| he/she/it is counterpointing |
| we are counterpointing |
| you are counterpointing |
| they are counterpointing |
| Present Perfect |
|---|
| I have counterpointed |
| you have counterpointed |
| he/she/it has counterpointed |
| we have counterpointed |
| you have counterpointed |
| they have counterpointed |
| Past Continuous |
|---|
| I was counterpointing |
| you were counterpointing |
| he/she/it was counterpointing |
| we were counterpointing |
| you were counterpointing |
| they were counterpointing |
| Past Perfect |
|---|
| I had counterpointed |
| you had counterpointed |
| he/she/it had counterpointed |
| we had counterpointed |
| you had counterpointed |
| they had counterpointed |
| Future |
|---|
| I will counterpoint |
| you will counterpoint |
| he/she/it will counterpoint |
| we will counterpoint |
| you will counterpoint |
| they will counterpoint |
| Future Perfect |
|---|
| I will have counterpointed |
| you will have counterpointed |
| he/she/it will have counterpointed |
| we will have counterpointed |
| you will have counterpointed |
| they will have counterpointed |
| Future Continuous |
|---|
| I will be counterpointing |
| you will be counterpointing |
| he/she/it will be counterpointing |
| we will be counterpointing |
| you will be counterpointing |
| they will be counterpointing |
| Present Perfect Continuous |
|---|
| I have been counterpointing |
| you have been counterpointing |
| he/she/it has been counterpointing |
| we have been counterpointing |
| you have been counterpointing |
| they have been counterpointing |
| Future Perfect Continuous |
|---|
| I will have been counterpointing |
| you will have been counterpointing |
| he/she/it will have been counterpointing |
| we will have been counterpointing |
| you will have been counterpointing |
| they will have been counterpointing |
| Past Perfect Continuous |
|---|
| I had been counterpointing |
| you had been counterpointing |
| he/she/it had been counterpointing |
| we had been counterpointing |
| you had been counterpointing |
| they had been counterpointing |
| Conditional |
|---|
| I would counterpoint |
| you would counterpoint |
| he/she/it would counterpoint |
| we would counterpoint |
| you would counterpoint |
| they would counterpoint |
| Past Conditional |
|---|
| I would have counterpointed |
| you would have counterpointed |
| he/she/it would have counterpointed |
| we would have counterpointed |
| you would have counterpointed |
| they would have counterpointed |
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
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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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"
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
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
counterpoint
nounRelated words
adjective contrapuntal
adjective contrapuntal
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
counterpoint
nounStriking difference between compared individuals:
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
ellenpontkontrapunkt
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005