COUNTERPOINT Definition & Meaning

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counterpoint

[ koun-ter-point ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Music. the art of combining melodies.
Music. the texture resulting from the combining of individual melodic lines.
a melody composed to be combined with another melody.
Also called coun·ter·point rhythm [koun, -ter-point ri, th, -, uh, m]. Prosody. syncopation ( def 2 ).
any element that is juxtaposed and contrasted with another.

verb (used with object)

to emphasize or clarify by contrast or juxtaposition.

counterpoint

/ ˈ�첹ʊ�Գ�əˌ��ɔɪ�Գ� /

noun

the technique involving the simultaneous sounding of two or more parts or melodies
a melody or part combined with another melody or part See also descant
the musical texture resulting from the simultaneous sounding of two or more melodies or parts
strict counterpoint
the application of the rules of counterpoint as an academic exercise
a contrasting or interacting element, theme, or item; foil
prosody the use of a stress or stresses at variance with the regular metrical stress

verb

tr to set in contrast

counterpoint

The use of two or more melodies at the same time in a piece of music; it was an important part of baroque music. Certain composers, such as Johann Sebastian Bach , have been especially skillful at counterpoint.

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of counterpoint¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Middle French contrepoint, translation of Medieval Latin ( cantus ) ��ǲԳٰ��ū�Գ��ٳܲ� literally, (song) pointed or pricked against, referring to notes of an accompaniment written over or under the notes of a plainsong. See counter-, point

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of counterpoint¹

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

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

As a counterpoint, when Paul makes the same boast to the hiring manager at the local tannery, she circles “unskilled labor.”

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Among the incredible variety of costumes and performances, Vila Isabel's ghosts clad completely in white were a counterpoint to the kaleidoscopic costumes typical of Rio's carnival.

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Videos of their vigorous, cheerful efforts soon went viral, drew international coverage and were a forceful counterpoint to Trump’s xenophobic insults.

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The sobering counterpoint to their success emerged less than 10 minutes away, in a more remote Pacific Palisades neighborhood.

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But for Biden and the Democrats, hoping to prove that they were a competent and effective counterpoint not just to Trump but to global authoritarian regimes, the stakes were high.

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