accent

 

noun

Pronunciation: /ˈaks(ə)nt, -sɛnt/
  • 1a distinctive way of pronouncing a language, especially one associated with a particular country, area, or social class: a strong American accent she never mastered the French accent
  • 2a distinct emphasis given to a syllable or word in speech by stress or pitch: the accent falls on the middle syllable
  • a mark on a letter, typically a vowel, to indicate pitch, stress, or vowel quality: a circumflex accent
  • Music an emphasis on a particular note or chord: short fortissimo accents
  • 3 [in singular] a special or particular emphasis: the accent is on participation
  • a feature which gives a distinctive visual emphasis to something: blue woodwork and accents of red

verb

Pronunciation: /akˈsɛnt/
[with object]
  • emphasize (a particular feature): fabrics which accent the background colours in the room
  • Music play (a note or beat) with emphasis: the quick tempo means there is less scope for accenting offbeat notes

Derivatives

accentual

Pronunciation: /əkˈsɛntjʊəl/
adjective

Origin:

late Middle English (in the sense 'intonation'): from Latin accentus 'tone, signal, or intensity' (from ad- 'to' + cantus 'song'), translating Greek prosōidia 'a song sung to music, intonation'