counterpoint
noun/ˈkaʊntəpɔɪnt/
/ˈkaʊntərpɔɪnt/
- [uncountable] (music) the combination of two or more tunes played together to form a single piece of music synonym polyphony
- The two melodies are played in counterpoint.
- [countable] counterpoint (to something) (music) a tune played in combination with another one
- [uncountable, countable] (formal) an effective or interesting contrast
- This work is in austere counterpoint to that of Gaudi.
Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French contrepoint, from medieval Latin contrapunctum ‘(song) pricked or marked over against (the original melody)’, from contra- ‘against’ + punctum, from pungere ‘to prick’.
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counterpoint