Other forms: counterpoints
Counterpoint is two melodies sounded together, or a contrasting element. Strict counterpoint, in counterpoint, a counterpoint to the argument.
In music each line must work on its own and against the other, which is what makes it hard, and Bach is where students go to learn it. Outside music a counterpoint is something set against another thing to bring both out more clearly.
1nouncounterpointTwo melodies sounded together, or a contrasting element.
“Bach's music is famous for its counterpoint, with two tunes weaving around each other.”
counterpoint is a contrast.
Medieval Latin contrapunctum means point against point, from the dots used to write the notes.
Medieval Latin
contrāpūnctum
Middle French
contrepoint
English, today
counterpoint
Middle English, from Middle French contrepoint, from Medieval Latin contrāpūnctum. Equivalent to counter + point.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA