noun / verb
accent
Emphasis that makes a feature stand out.
The drummer places a strong accent on the first beat.
Etymology
Latin accentus referred to the intonation of speech. The prominence given to part of an utterance became a broader idea of emphasis, including emphasis on a visual or other distinctive feature.
More examples
- Bright cushions accent the room's neutral colors.
- The designer adds a red accent near the doorway.
- She accented the final word to show its importance.
Forms
accent · accents · accented · accenting