Counterpoint \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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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Counterpoint \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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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