'counterpoint' originates from Middle English and Old French, specifically the Old French word 'contrepoint', where 'contre-' meant 'against' and 'point' (from Latin 'punctus') meant 'point' or 'punctured/note'.

'counterpoint' changed from Old French 'contrepoint' (and Medieval Latin 'contrapunctus') and eventually became the modern English word 'counterpoint' via late Middle English usage.

Initially, it meant 'a musical technique of combining independent melodic lines' (the literal contrapuntal practice); over time it evolved to include the figurative sense of 'a contrasting or opposing element or argument'.