Accent Definition
ăksĕnt
accented, accenting, accents
noun
accents
The relative prominence of a particular syllable of a word by greater intensity or by variation or modulation of pitch or tone.
American Heritage
The emphasis (by stress, pitch, or both) given to a particular syllable or word when it is spoken.
Webster's New World
Vocal prominence or emphasis given to a particular syllable, word, or phrase.
American Heritage
A mark used in writing or printing to show the placing and kind of this emphasis, as in the primary () and secondary () accenting of English (accelerator, academically, etc.)
Webster's New World
A characteristic pronunciation, especially:
American Heritage
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
verb
accented, accenting, accents
To stress or emphasize the pronunciation of.
Accented the first syllable in “debacle.”
American Heritage
To pronounce (a syllable, word, or phrase) with special stress.
Webster's New World
To mark with a printed accent.
American Heritage
To mark with an accent.
Webster's New World
To focus attention on; accentuate.
A program that accents leadership development.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Origin of Accent
-
First attested in the late 14th century. (The "decorative" sense is first attested in 1972.) From Middle French accent, from Old French acent, from Latin accentus, formed from ad + cantus (“song”) with a vowel change.
From Wiktionary
-
Middle English from Old French from Latin accentus accentuation ad- ad- cantus song (from canere to sing kan- in Indo-European roots)
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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