accent

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   A higher-pitched or stronger (louder or longer) articulation of a particular syllable of…

   A higher-pitched or stronger (louder or longer) articulation of a particular syllable of a word or phrase in order to distinguish it from the others or to emphasize it.

   • In the word "careful", the accent is placed on the first syllable.
2. 2

   Emphasis or importance in general.

   • At this hotel, the accent is on luxury.
3. 3

   A mark used in writing, in order to indicate the place of the spoken stress.

4. ›+ 17 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      Any mark used in writing over letters, either in order to indicate the place of the…

      Any mark used in writing over letters, either in order to indicate the place of the spoken stress, or to indicate the nature or quality of the vowel marked, or to distinguish homophones.

      • The name Cézanne is written with an acute accent.
      • California, like several other states, prohibits the use of diacritical marks or accents on official documents. That means no tilde (~), no accent grave (`), no umlaut (¨) and certainly no cedilla (¸).
   2. 5

      Modulation of the voice in speaking

      Modulation of the voice in speaking; the manner of speaking or pronouncing; a peculiar or characteristic modification of the voice, expressing emotion; tone.

      • I know, sir, I am no flatterer: he that beguiled you in a plain accent was a plain knave; which for my part I will not be, though I should win your displeasure to entreat me to 't.
      • The tender Accents of a Woman’s Cry ¶ Will paſs unheard, will unregarded die;
      • And he repeated her words with such assurance of accent, such boastful pretence of amazement, that she could not help replying with quickness …
   3. 6

      The distinctive manner of pronouncing a language associated with a particular region,…

      The distinctive manner of pronouncing a language associated with a particular region, social group, etc., whether of a native speaker or a foreign speaker; the phonetic and phonological aspects of a dialect.

      • a foreign accent
      • a broad Irish accent
      • a hint of a German accent
   4. 7

      A word

      A word; a significant tone or sound.

      • I heard my landlady's accents attuned to nervous civility, mingling with the mellow tones of a deep masculine voice,
   5. 8

      Expressions in general

      Expressions in general; speech.

      • Winds! on your wings to Heaven her accents bear, / Such words as Heaven alone is fit to hear.
   6. 9

      Stress laid on certain syllables of a verse.

   7. 10

      A regularly recurring stress upon the tone to mark the beginning, and, more feebly, the…

      A regularly recurring stress upon the tone to mark the beginning, and, more feebly, the third part of the measure.

   8. 11

      A special emphasis of a tone, even in the weaker part of the measure.

   9. 12

      A mark used to represent this special emphasis.

   10. 13

       The rhythmical accent, which marks phrases and sections of a period.

   11. 14

       A prime symbol.

   12. 15

       Emphasis laid on a part of an artistic design or composition

       Emphasis laid on a part of an artistic design or composition; an emphasized detail, in particular a detail in sharp contrast to its surroundings.

       • accent color
   13. 16

       A very small gemstone set into a piece of jewellery.

   14. 17

       Utterance.

   15. 18

       To express the accent of vocally

       To express the accent of vocally; to utter with accent.

   16. 19

       To mark emphatically

       To mark emphatically; to emphasize; to accentuate; to make prominent.

   17. 20

       To mark with written accents.

The neighborhood

• neighborcircumflex
• neighbordiacritic