countersubject

noun

coun·​ter·​subject

"+ˌ-

plural countersubjects

: a secondary line or voice (see voice entry 1 sense 1b(4)) that accompanies statements of the main subject (see subject entry 1 sense 3f) in a fugue (see fugue entry 1 sense 1b)

Word History

Etymology

counter- + subject

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined above

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