I’ve often wondered what was counter about counterpane—whether it was somehow the opposite of pane (e.g. “a pane of glass”).
Turns out: no. In fact, says the AHD, Old French countrepointe is an eggcorn for coultepointe, derived from Medieval Latin culcita puncta, “stitched quilt”.
English pane, on the other hand is derived from Latin pannus “piece of cloth”; likewise English panel. They’re cognate with English vane, derived from OE fana “flag/banner”.
There has been no point to this entry, only a counterpoint.
