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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

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}.
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Embroidered coverlets or counterpoints of purple silk.
--Sir T.
North.
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Counterpoint \Coun"ter*point`\ (koun"t?r-point`), n. [Counter-
point.]
An opposite point [Obs.] --Sir E. Sandys.
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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}.
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Counterpoint, an invention equivalent to a new
creation of music. --Whewell.
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