In music, a secondary melody played against the main theme or subject, especially in fugues and counterpoint.
From counter- + subject (from Latin subjectus, meaning thrown under). A musical term specifically referring to compositional techniques of Johann Sebastian Bach and his contemporaries.
Bach's fugues are masterclasses in countersubject—while the main subject plays, a countersubject weaves around it, then they switch roles, creating mathematical beauty. The simultaneous independence and harmony of countersubjects inspired mathematicians and philosophers about how complex systems can maintain order.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.