Hyper Dictionary

English Dictionary Computer Dictionary Thesaurus Dream Dictionary Medical Dictionary


Search Dictionary:  

Meaning of COUNTERPOINT

Pronunciation:  'kawntur`poynt

WordNet Dictionary
 
 Definition: 
  1. [n]  a musical form involving the simultaneous sound of two or more melodies
  2. [v]  write in counterpoint
  3. [v]  to show differences when compared; be different; "the students contrast considerably in their artistic abilities"
 
 Websites: 
 
 Synonyms: contrast
 
 See Also: compose, concerted music, conflict, counterbalance, differ, foil, oppose, polyphonic music, polyphony, turn the scales, write

 

 

Products Dictionary
 
 Definition: 

Counterpoint
Counterpoint

more details ...

 
Webster's 1913 Dictionary
 
 Definition: 
  1. \Coun"ter*point`\ (koun"t?r-point`), n. [Counter- +
    point.]
    An opposite point [Obs.] --Sir E. Sandys.
    
  2. \Coun"ter*point`\, 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}.
              Counterpoint, an invention equivalent to a new
              creation of music.                   --Whewell.
    
  3. \Coun"ter*point`\, 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}.
          Embroidered coverlets or counterpoints of purple silk.
                                                   --Sir T.
                                                   North.
    
 
Thesaurus Terms
 
 Related Terms: accent, accentuation, Alexandrine, Ambrosian chant, amphibrach, amphimacer, anacrusis, anapest, antipode, antipodes, antipole, antispast, antithesis, antonym, arsis, bacchius, beat, cadence, caesura, catalexis, chloriamb, chloriambus, colon, contra, contrapunto, converse, counter, counterbalance, countercheck, counterpoise, counterpole, counterterm, cretic, dactyl, dactylic hexameter, diaeresis, dimeter, dipody, dochmiac, elegiac, elegiac couplet, elegiac pentameter, emphasis, epitrite, false music, faux-bourdon, feminine caesura, foil, foot, heptameter, heptapody, heroic couplet, hexameter, hexapody, iamb, iambic, iambic pentameter, ictus, inverse, ionic, jingle, lilt, masculine caesura, measure, meter, metrical accent, metrical foot, metrical group, metrical unit, metron, molossus, mora, movement, musica ficta, numbers, obverse, offset, opposite, opposite number, paeon, pentameter, pentapody, period, polyphonism, polyphony, proceleusmatic, pyrrhic, quantity, reverse, rhythm, setoff, spondee, sprung rhythm, stress, swing, syzygy, tetrameter, tetrapody, tetraseme, the contrary, the other side, thesis, tribrach, trimeter, tripody, triseme, trochee, vis-a-vis
 

 

 

 

COPYRIGHT © 2000-2003 WEBNOX CORP. HOME | ABOUT HYPERDICTIONARY