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counterpoint

Pronunciation: /ˈkaʊntəpɔɪnt/

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Definition of counterpoint

noun

1 [mass noun] Music the technique of setting, writing, or playing a melody or melodies in conjunction with another, according to fixed rules.
[count noun] a melody played in conjunction with another.

2a thing that forms a pleasing or notable contrast to something else:the sauce made a piquant counterpoint to the ham

verb

[with object]

1 Music add counterpoint to (a melody):the orchestra counterpoints the vocal part

2emphasize by contrast:the cream walls and maple floors are counterpointed by black accents
compensate for:the yarn’s fanciful excesses are counterpointed with some sharp and unsentimental dialogue

Origin:

late 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'

counterpoint in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of counterpoint in the US English dictionary

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