Definition of "accent" in Anglais

noun

1. (linguistics) 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. (figuratively) Emphasis or importance in general.

   • At this hotel, the accent is on luxury.

3. (orthography) A mark or character used in writing, in order to indicate the place of the spoken accent, or to indicate the nature or quality of the vowel marked.

   • The name Cézanne is written with an acute accent.

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

5. (linguistics, sociolinguistics) 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
   • a thick French accent

6. A word; a significant tone or sound.

7. (usually plural only) Expressions in general; speech.

8. (prosody, poetry) Stress laid on certain syllables of a verse.

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

10. (music) A special emphasis of a tone, even in the weaker part of the measure.

11. (music) A mark used to represent this special emphasis.

12. (music) The rhythmical accent, which marks phrases and sections of a period.

13. (mathematics) A prime symbol.

14. 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

15. A very small gemstone set into a piece of jewellery.

16. (archaic) Utterance.

verb

1. (transitive) To express the accent of vocally; to utter with accent.

2. (transitive) To mark emphatically; to emphasize; to accentuate; to make prominent.

3. (transitive) To mark with written accents.