the WORD.

CounterPoint:

[koun-ter-point]

noun

1. the art of combining melodies.

2. the texture resulting from combining of individual melodic lines.

3. a melody composed to be combined with another melody.

4. any element that is juxtaposed and contrasted with another.

Origin:

1400-50 late ME <>contrepoint, trans. of ML contraspunctus lit., (song) pointed or pricked against, referring to notes of accompaniment written over and under the notes of the plainsong.