accent: [14] Accent was originally a loantranslation from Greek into Latin (a loantranslation is when each constituent of a compound in one language is translated into its equivalent in another, and then reassembled into a new compound). Greek prosōidíā (whence English prosody) was formed from pros ‘to’ and ōidé ‘song’ (whence English ode); these elements were translated into Latin ad ‘to’ and cantus ‘song’ (whence English chant, cant, cantata, canticle), giving accentus.
The notion underlying this combination of ‘to’ and ‘song’ was of a song added to speech – that is, the intonation of spoken language. The sense of a particular mode of pronunciation did not arise in English until the 16th century. => cant, cantata, canticle, chant
accent (n.)
late 14c., "particular mode of pronunciation," from Middle French accent, from Old French acent (13c.), from Latin accentus "song added to speech," from ad- "to" (see ad-) + cantus "a singing," past participle of canere "to sing" (see chant (v.)). Loan-translation of Greek prosoidia, from pros- "to" + oide "song," which apparently described the pitch scheme in Greek verse. The decorating sense of "something that emphasizes or highlights" is from 1972.
accent (v.)
"to pronounce with accent or stress," 1520s, from Middle French accenter, from Old French acenter, from acent (see accent (n.)). Related: Accented; accenting.
双语例句
1. Accentuate the word " accent " on the first syllable.
在 “ accent ” 一词的第一个音节上加重音符号.
来自《简明英汉词典》
2. There is often a strong accent on material success.
经常大力强调物质成就。
来自柯林斯例句
3. Her Irish accent, after thirty-odd years in London, is undiluted.
她在伦敦呆了30多年,爱尔兰口音仍很浓重。
来自柯林斯例句
4. Brand's keen ear caught the trace of an accent.
布兰德敏锐的耳朵听出了口音。
来自柯林斯例句
5. Joe had a low, guttural voice with a mid-Western accent.