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Accentuation Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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accentuation

[əkˌsɛn.tʃuˈeɪ.ʃən ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

linguistic

The act of giving emphasis or prominence to a particular syllable in a word.

Synonyms

emphasis, intonation, stress.

Examples of usage

  • Proper accentuation is crucial for correct pronunciation.
  • Accentuation can vary depending on the regional dialect.
Context #2 | Noun

music

The stress or emphasis given to certain notes in a musical piece.

Synonyms

accent, emphasis, stress.

Examples of usage

  • The conductor explained the importance of proper accentuation in the musical score.
  • Her piano performance was praised for its precise accentuation.
Context #3 | Noun

art

The use of light, shading, color, etc., to create a focal point or emphasize certain aspects of a work of art.

Synonyms

emphasis, emphasis, highlight.

Examples of usage

  • The artist's skillful accentuation of the subject's eyes drew the viewer's attention.
  • Accentuation of contrast is a common technique in photography.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Linguistics

  • Accentuation can change meanings in different languages; for example, 'record' is a noun when accented on the first syllable but a verb when the second syllable is stressed.
  • Different languages have different rules for accentuation, impacting how speakers communicate emotions and emphasis.

Music

  • In music, accentuation tells performers where to emphasize notes, affecting the piece's overall feel and emotion.
  • Types of accents in music include agogic accents, where the duration of a note is lengthened, and dynamic accents, where the volume is increased.

Theater & Performance

  • Performers use accentuation to highlight important lines, making them stand out in a play or movie, capturing the audience's attention.
  • Different accents can convey character background and emotional state, adding depth to performances.

Psychology

  • Research shows the way we accentuate our speech can influence listeners' perceptions of our confidence and authority.
  • Accentuation in conversation can create stronger connections between speakers, as emphasis on key words helps convey feelings and intentions.

Origin of 'accentuation'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'accentus', meaning 'song' or 'melody', which links to how we emphasize words.
  • In the 16th century, it began to take a more grammatical meaning, relating to how sounds are stressed in speech.

The word 'accentuation' originated from the Latin word 'accentuare', which means 'to accent'. It first appeared in English in the early 17th century. The concept of accentuation has been significant in various fields such as linguistics, music, and art, where emphasis and stress play crucial roles. The term has evolved to encompass the highlighting or focal points in different forms of expression.

See also: accent, accentuate, accentuated, accentuating, accentuator.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,947, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.