■ noun 'aks(ə)nt , -sɛnt
1》 a particular way of pronouncing a language, associated with a country, area, or social class.
2》 an emphasis given to a syllable, word, or note in speech or music.
3》 a special emphasis: the ~ is on participation.
4》 a mark on a letter or word indicating pitch, stress, or the quality of a vowel.
■ verb ak'sɛnt
1》 [as adjective ~ed ] spoken with a particular ~.
2》 stress (a word, syllable, or note).
3》 emphasize (a feature).
Derivatives
~ual adjective
Origin
ME: from L. ~us 'tone, signal, or intensity', translating Gk prosōidia 'song, intonation'.