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   Ac·cent

   noun

   • 1. a distinctive mode of pronunciation of a language, especially one associated with a particular nation, locality, or social class: "a strong German accent" Similar pronunciationintonationenunciationelocutionarticulationinflectiontonemodulationcadencetimbreutterancemanner of speakingspeech patternspeechdictiondeliverybrogueburrdrawltwangrare:orthoepy
   • 2. a distinct emphasis given to a syllable or word in speech by stress or pitch: "the accent falls on the middle syllable" Similar stressemphasisaccentuationforceprominenceprimary stresssecondary stressbeatrhythmpulsetechnical:toneictus
   • ▪ a mark on a letter, typically a vowel, to indicate pitch, stress, or vowel quality: "a circumflex accent" Similar markdiacriticdiacritical markaccent marksign
   • ▪ an emphasis on a particular note or chord: "short fortissimo accents"
   • 3. a special or particular emphasis: "the accent is on participation" Similar emphasisstresspriorityimportanceprominence
   • ▪ a feature which gives a distinctive visual emphasis to something: "blue woodwork and accents of red"

   verb

   • 1. emphasize (a particular feature): "fabrics that accent the background colors in the room" Similar focus attention onbring/call/draw attention topoint upunderlineunderscoreaccentuatehighlightspotlightforegroundfeaturegive prominence tomake more prominentmake more noticeableplay upbring to the foreheightenstressweightemphasizeput/lay emphasis onOpposite maskdivert attention from
   • ▪ play (a note, a beat of the bar, etc.) with an accent: "the quick tempo means there is less scope for accenting offbeat notes"

   Word 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’.

   Scrabble Points: 10

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   • C

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   • E

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