| Counterpoint | n. [ F. contrepoint; cf. It. contrappunto. Cf. Contrapuntal. ] (Mus.) (a) The setting of note against note in harmony; the adding of one or more parts to a given canto fermo or melody. (b) The art of polyphony, or composite melody, i. e., melody not single, but moving attended by one or more related melodies. (c) Music in parts; part writing; harmony; polyphonic music. See Polyphony. [ 1913 Webster ] Counterpoint, an invention equivalent to a new creation of music. Whewell. [ 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. Sir T. North. [ 1913 Webster ] |
