Etymology 1

Noun

1. A higher or stronger articulation of a particular syllable of a word or phrase in order to distinguish it from the others or to emphasize it.
2. A mark or character used in writing, in order to indicate the place of the spoken accent, or to indicate the nature or quality of the vowel marked.
3. Modulation of the voice in speaking; the manner of speaking or pronouncing; a peculiar or characteristic modification of the voice, expressing emotion; tone; as, a foreign accent; a French or a German accent.
   • Beguiled you in a plain accent. - Shakespeare, King Lear, II-ii
   • The tender accent of a woman's cry. - Prior
4. A nonstandard way of pronouncing.

   The nonnative English speaker has an accent.

5. A word; a significant tone or sound.
6. Expressions in general; speech.
7. Stress laid on certain syllables of a verse.
8. A regularly recurring stress upon the tone to mark the beginning, and, more feebly, the third part of the measure.
9. A special emphasis of a tone, even in the weaker part of the measure.
10. The rhythmical accent, which marks phrases and sections of a period.
11. The expressive emphasis and shading of a passage.
12. 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.
13. A mark at the right hand of a number, indicating minutes of a degree, seconds, etc., as in "12' 27", meaning twelve minutes and twenty-seven seconds.
14. A mark used to denote feet and inches, as in "6' 10", meaning six feet ten inches.
15. Paint, wallpaper, or similar coating that contrasts with the surroundings.

Verb

1. To express the accent of (either by the voice or by a mark); to utter or to mark with accent.
2. To mark emphatically; to emphasize; to accentuate.
3. To mark with written accents.