COUNTERPOINT

Pronunciation (US):

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does counterpoint mean? 

• COUNTERPOINT (noun)
  The noun COUNTERPOINT has 1 sense:

1. a musical form involving the simultaneous sound of two or more melodies

  Familiarity information: COUNTERPOINT used as a noun is very rare.

• COUNTERPOINT (verb)
  The verb COUNTERPOINT has 2 senses:

1. to show differences when compared; be different

2. write in counterpoint

  Familiarity information: COUNTERPOINT used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• COUNTERPOINT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A musical form involving the simultaneous sound of two or more melodies

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("counterpoint" is a kind of...):

concerted music; polyphonic music; polyphony (music arranged in parts for several voices or instruments)

Domain member category:

inversion ((counterpoint) a variation of a melody or part in which ascending intervals are replaced by descending intervals and vice versa)

Derivation:

contrapuntist (a composer who specializes in counterpoint)

counterpoint (write in counterpoint)

• COUNTERPOINT (verb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

To show differences when compared; be different

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Synonyms:

contrast; counterpoint

Context example:

the students contrast considerably in their artistic abilities

Hypernyms (to "counterpoint" is one way to...):

differ (be different)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "counterpoint"):

counterbalance; oppose (contrast with equal weight or force)

conflict (be in conflict)

foil (enhance by contrast)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Something is ----ing PP

Sense 2

Meaning:

Write in counterpoint

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Context example:

Bach perfected the art of counterpointing

Hypernyms (to "counterpoint" is one way to...):

compose; write (write music)

Domain category:

music (an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

counterpoint (a musical form involving the simultaneous sound of two or more melodies)