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| ac·cent [ ák sènt ] |
noun (plural ac·cents) |
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1. manner of pronunciation: a way of pronouncing words that indicates the place of origin or social background of the speaker
  a Southern accent
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2. intonation: a way of using intonation or inflection to convey the speaker's mood or character
He answered with an accent of bitterness.
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3. stress on syllable: a greater emphasis in pronouncing a syllable within a word or a word within a phrase
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4. mark above letter: a symbol used in print or writing to indicate stress or the pronunciation of a vowel
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5. main emphasis: an aspect of a situation or issue that is emphasized
The accent is on safety.
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6. contrasting detail: a contrasting decorative feature used to add interest
a blue room with green accents in the furnishings
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7. style: a distinctive style that is characteristic of a particular person, region, or artistic school
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8. music stress on notes: stress placed on specific notes in a piece of music, or the symbol printed above the notes to indicate this stress
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9. mathematics measurements
Same as prime1n (sense 3)
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transitive verb (past and past participle ac·cent·ed, present participle ac·cent·ing, 3rd person present singular ac·cents) |
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| Definition: |
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1. emphasize something: to stress or emphasize something, e.g. to pronounce a word or syllable more prominently than those surrounding it or play a musical note or beat with greater volume or attack
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2. mark something with accent: to mark something such as a letter or word with a written or printed accent
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| [Early 16th century. Via French< Latin accentus< ad "to" + cantus "singing," literal translation of Greek prosōidia "accompanied song"] |
