n. & v.
--n.
1. a particular mode of pronunciation, esp. one associated with a particular region or group (Liverpool accent; German accent; upper-class accent).
2 prominence given to a syllable by stress or pitch.
3 a mark on a letter or word to indicate pitch, stress, or the quality of a vowel.
4 a distinctive feature or emphasis (an accent on comfort).
5 Mus. emphasis on a particular note or chord.
--v.tr.
1. pronounce with an accent; emphasize (a word or syllable).
2 write or print accents on (words etc.).
3 accentuate.
4 Mus. play (a note etc.) with an accent.
Derivatives:
accentual adj.
Etymology: L accentus (as AC-, cantus song) repr. Gk prosoidia (PROSODY), or through F accent, accenter