[ ˌdʌɪə'krɪtɪk ]
■ noun a sign such as an accent written above or below a letter to indicate a difference in pronunciation from the same letter when unmarked.
■ adjective (of a mark or sign) indicating a difference in pronunciation.
Derivatives
~al adjective
~ally adverb
Origin
C17: from Gk diakritikos , from diakrinein 'distinguish'.