Counterpoint
/ˈkaʊn.tər.pɔɪnt/noun
A technique in music involving the combination of two or more independent melodic lines; more broadly, a contrasting element.
Did you know?The word comes from musical notation where one note was set *against* another, and that same idea of structured opposition later gave English one of its sharpest words for contrast.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
punctum
“a point; a prick; a dot”
Late Latin
Late Latin
punctus contra punctum
“point against point”
Old French
Old French
contrepoint
“counterpoint in music”
Middle English
English
counterpoint
“a note or melody set against another”
Modern English
English
counterpoint
“a contrasting element; a musical technique”
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