ac•centˈæk sɛnt; ækˈsɛnt(n.; v. also)

1. prominence of a syllable in terms of differential loudness, pitch, length, or a combination of these.

   Category: Phonetics

2. degree of prominence of a syllable within a word or of a word within a phrase:

   primary accent; secondary accent.

   Category: Phonetics

3. a mark indicating stress (as ′ or `), vowel quality (as French grave `, acute ´, circumflex ^), pitch, distinction in meaning, or that an ordinarily silent vowel is to be pronounced.

4. regularly recurring stress in verse.

5. a mode of pronunciation characteristic of or distinctive to the speech of a particular person, group, or locality:

   a southern accent.

   Category: Phonetics

6. such a mode of pronunciation recognized as being of foreign origin:

   She still speaks with an accent.

7. a stress or emphasis given to certain musical notes. a mark indicating this. stress or emphasis regularly recurring as a feature of rhythm.

8. Often, accents. the tones, inflections, choice of words, etc., that identify a particular individual or express a particular emotion.

9. special attention or emphasis:

   an accent on accuracy.

10. a contrasting detail.

11. a distinctive quality or feature.

12. a symbol used to distinguish similar mathematical quantities that differ in value, as in b~, b〃, b‴ (called b prime, b second or b double prime, b third or b triple prime, respectively). a symbol used to indicate a particular unit of measure, as feet (~) or inches (〃), minutes (~) or seconds (〃). a symbol used to indicate the order of a derivative of a function in calculus, as f~ (called f prime) is the first

    f.

    Category: Math, Weights and Measures

13. accents, words; language; speech:

    He spoke in accents bold.

14. (v.t.)to pronounce with prominence (a syllable within a word or a word within a phrase):

    Accent the first syllable.

    Category: Phonetics

15. to mark with a written accent or accents.

16. to give emphasis or prominence to; accentuate.

Origin of accent:

1520–30; < L accentus speaking tone =ac-ac - +-centus,cantus song (see canto )

ac•cen′tu•a•ble(adj.)