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accent

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The definition of an accent is a syllable or word that stands out from the others when spoken.

(noun)

An example of accent would be the loudest part of a word.

Accent means to give importance or attention to something.

(verb)

An example of accent would be a public peaker who emphasizes key points.

See accent in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

the emphasis (by stress, pitch, or both) given to a particular syllable or word when it is spoken
a mark used in writing or printing to show the placing and kind of this emphasis, as in the primary (ʹ) and secondary () accenting of English (ac·celʹer·ator, aca·demʹi·cal·ly, etc.)
a mark used to distinguish between various sounds represented by the same letter: in French there are acute (´), grave (ˋ), and circumflex (^) accents
the pitch contour of a phrase
1. a distinguishing regional or national manner of pronunciation: Irish accent, Southern accent
2. a manner of articulating the sounds of another language that is influenced by the phonology of one's native language: speaking Russian with a heavy Midwestern American accent
a voice modulation expressive of an emotion: accents of love
Old Poet. speech; words; utterance: in accents mild
a distinguishing style of expression
a striking or prominent feature of any artistic composition: the classical accent of a pillar
an object or detail that lends emphasis, as by contrast with that which surrounds it
special emphasis or attention: to put the accent on highway construction
a mark used with a number or letter, as in mathematics to indicate a variable (a), or in measurement of length (10′ 5″, ten feet five inches) or of time (3′ 16″, three minutes sixteen seconds)
Music
1. emphasis or stress on a note or chord
2. a mark or sign showing this
Music, Prosody rhythmic stress or beat

Origin: Fr < L accentus < ad-, to + cantus, pp. of canere, to sing: a L rendering of Gr prosōidia (see prosody), orig. referring to the pitch scheme of Gr verse

transitive verb

to pronounce (a syllable, word, or phrase) with special stress
to mark with an accent
to emphasize

See accent in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

The relative prominence of a particular syllable of a word by greater intensity or by variation or modulation of pitch or tone.
Vocal prominence or emphasis given to a particular syllable, word, or phrase.
A characteristic pronunciation, especially:
a. One determined by the regional or social background of the speaker.
b. One determined by the phonetic habits of the speaker's native language carried over to his or her use of another language.
A mark or symbol used in the printing and writing of certain languages to indicate the vocal quality to be given to a particular letter: an acute accent.
A mark or symbol used in printing and writing to indicate the stressed syllables of a spoken word.
Rhythmically significant stress in a line of verse.
Music
a. Emphasis or prominence given to a note or chord, as by an increase in volume or extended duration.
b. A mark representing this.
Mathematics
a. A mark used as a superscript to distinguish among variables represented by the same symbol.
b. A mark used as a superscript to indicate the first derivative of a variable.
A mark or one of several marks used as a superscript to indicate a unit, such as feet (:) and inches (″) in linear measurement.
a. A distinctive feature or quality, such as a feature that accentuates, contrasts with, or complements a decorative style.
b. Something that accentuates or contrasts something else, as a touch of color that makes the features of an image stand out.
Particular importance or interest; emphasis: The accent is on comfort. See Synonyms at emphasis.

transitive verb (ăkˈsĕntˌ, ăk-sĕntˈ) ac·cent·ed, ac·cent·ing, ac·cents

To stress or emphasize the pronunciation of.
To mark with a printed accent.
To focus attention on; accentuate: a program that accents leadership development.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Latin accentus, accentuation

Origin: : ad-, ad-

Origin: + cantus, song (from canere, to sing; see kan- in Indo-European roots)

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