Etymology

counterpoint

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Today it means: A melody added to an existing one, especially one added to provide harmony whilst each retains its simultaneous identity; a composition consisting of such contrapuntal melodies. Full definition →

Middle English [Term?] ← Middle French contrepoint ← Medieval Latin contrāpūnctum
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counterpoint · noun, verb1

  1. Medieval Latin · derived fromcontrāpūnctum
  2. Middle French · derived fromcontrepoint
  3. Middle English · inherited from[Term?]
  4. English todaycounterpoint

Inherited from Middle English [Term?], from Middle French contrepoint, from Medieval Latin contrāpūnctum. Equivalent to counter- + point.

counterpoint · noun2

  1. Latin · derived fromculcita
  2. Old French · derived fromcontrepointe
  3. English todaycounterpoint

From Old French contrepointe, a corruption of coultepointe, from Latin culcita puncta, i.e. a stitched pillow or cover. See quilt.

Words from the same roots

Latinculcita all →

quiltquoit

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.