coun·ter·point

noun

/ˈkaʊntəpɔɪnt/

/ˈkaʊntərpɔɪnt/

[uncountable] (music) the combination of two or more tunes played together to form a single piece of music对位法，对位（各声部互相结合） synonym polyphony
- The two melodies are played in counterpoint.用对位法来演奏这两首曲调。
see also contrapuntalTopics Musicc2
[countable] counterpoint (to something) (music) a tune played in combination with another one复调
[uncountable, countable] (formal) an effective or interesting contrast鲜明（或有趣）的对比
- This work is in austere counterpoint to that of Gaudi.这件作品的质朴风格与高迪的形成了有趣的对比。

Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French contrepoint, from medieval Latin contrapunctum ‘(song) pricked or marked over against (the original melody)’, from contra- ‘against’ + punctum, from pungere ‘to prick’.

coun·ter·point

verb

/ˈkaʊntəpɔɪnt/

/ˈkaʊntərpɔɪnt/

(formal)

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they counterpoint	/ˈkaʊntəpɔɪnt/ /ˈkaʊntərpɔɪnt/
he / she / it counterpoints	/ˈkaʊntəpɔɪnts/ /ˈkaʊntərpɔɪnts/
past simple counterpointed	/ˈkaʊntəpɔɪntɪd/ /ˈkaʊntərpɔɪntɪd/
past participle counterpointed	/ˈkaʊntəpɔɪntɪd/ /ˈkaʊntərpɔɪntɪd/
-ing form counterpointing	/ˈkaʊntəpɔɪntɪŋ/ /ˈkaʊntərpɔɪntɪŋ/

counterpoint something (with/against something) to contrast something with something else; to form a contrast with something用…作对比；与…形成对比
Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French contrepoint, from medieval Latin contrapunctum ‘(song) pricked or marked over against (the original melody)’, from contra- ‘against’ + punctum, from pungere ‘to prick’.