ACCENT

Definitions

1. 1. A superior force of voice or of articulative effort upon some particular syllable of a word or a phrase, distinguishing it from the others.
2. 2. A mark or character used in writing, and serving to regulate the pronunciation; esp.: (a) a mark to indicate the nature and place of the spoken accent; (b) a mark to indicate the quality of sound of the vowel marked; as, the French accents.
3. 3. Modulation of the voice in speaking; manner of speaking or pronouncing; peculiar or characteristic modification of the voice; tone; as, a foreign accent; a French or a German accent. "Beguiled you in a plain accent." Shak. "A perfect accent." Thackeray. The tender accent of a woman's cry. Prior.
4. 4. A word; a significant tone; (pl.) expressions in general; speech. Winds! on your wings to Heaven her accents bear, Such words as Heaven alone is fit to hear. Dryden.
5. 5. Stress laid on certain syllables of a verse.
6. 6. A regularly recurring stress upon the tone to mark the beginning, and, more feebly, the third part of the measure.
7. 7. A special emphasis of a tone, even in the weaker part of the measure.
8. 8. The rythmical accent, which marks phrases and sections of a period.
9. 9. The expressive emphasis and shading of a passage. J. S. Dwight.
10. 10. A mark placed at the right hand of a letter, and a little above it, to distinguish magnitudes of a similar kind expressed by the same letter, but differing in value, as y', y''.