Obs. Forms: 5 counturpynt, conter-, 5 cowntyr-, cowntter-, cownter-, counterpoynt(e, 6–7 -point(e. [a. OF. contrepointe (15th c. in Littré), synonym of courtepointe, both forms being app. corruptions of OF. cuilte-pointe, coulte-pointe, coute-pointe, repr. L. culcita puncta (see Du Cange) lit. ‘quilt stabbed or stitched through, quilted mattress.’ The first element is thus the same word as QUILT; the second has, since 1600, been altered to pane.] A quilted cover for a bed; a COUNTERPANE.
[1423. Schedule, 1 Hen. VI., Add. MS. 4603 f. 170. Item le testour … Item le Counterpoint du dit lit.]
c. 1450. Bk. Curtasye, 455, in Babees Bk. (1868), 314. Þo counturpynt he lays on beddys fete.
1524. Test. Ebor. (Surtees), V. 186. My best fetherbed and oon cowntter poynte of tapstre worke.
1588. Lanc. Wills, III. 13. A feather bedd a bolster and a counterpoynte of tapistree.
1620. Shelton, Quix., IV. xxix. 223. Hid with the sheets and counterpoint.
1694. Lond. Gaz., No. 2949/4. Stolen … Curtains and Counterpoint of a Bed, of Indian Damask.
b. Comb., as counterpoint-maker.
1611. Cotgr., Contrepointerie, the shop of a Quilter, or Counterpoint-maker.
