contrapuntal

[ kon-truh-puhn-tl ]

adjective

, Music.

1. of or relating to counterpoint.
2. composed of two or more relatively independent melodies sounded together.

contrapuntal

/ ˌkɒntrəˈpʌntəl /

adjective

1. music characterized by counterpoint

Derived Forms

• ˌcontraˈpuntally, adverb

Other Words From

• contra·puntal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of contrapuntal¹

1835–45; < Italian contrappunt ( o ) + -al ¹. See counterpoint

Word History and Origins

Origin of contrapuntal¹

C19: from Italian contrappunto counterpoint + al ¹

Example Sentences

The themes are not good of their sort, the sort being, as he said, the sort that are useful for contrapuntal working.

From Project Gutenberg

So he showed himself neither a great poet-composer nor a contrapuntal adept.

From Project Gutenberg

One is ever conscious in Reger that he is solving contrapuntal problems in order to astonish the vulgar herd of the professors.

From Project Gutenberg

For, like Bruckner's, they appear chosen with an eye to their serviceability for contrapuntal deformation and dissection.

From Project Gutenberg

More free in form was the motet, in which religious subjects were treated in contrapuntal fashion.

From Project Gutenberg