[ˈaksɛnt], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a distinctive way of pronouncing a language, especially one associated with a particular country, area, or social class
(e.g: a strong American accent)

- a distinct emphasis given to a syllable or word in speech by stress or pitch
(e.g: the accent falls on the middle syllable)

- a special or particular emphasis
(e.g: the accent is on participation)


Phrases:

Origin:
Old English (denoting a mark on a letter to indicate pitch or stress): from Latin accentus ‘intonation, mark on a letter’ (from accanere ‘to sing’, from ad- ‘to’ + canere ‘to sing’), translating Greek prosōidia ‘a song sung to music, intonation’

[əkˈsɛnt], (Verb)

Definitions:
- emphasize (a particular feature)
(e.g: fabrics which accent the background colours in the room)


Phrases:

Origin:
Old English (denoting a mark on a letter to indicate pitch or stress): from Latin accentus ‘intonation, mark on a letter’ (from accanere ‘to sing’, from ad- ‘to’ + canere ‘to sing’), translating Greek prosōidia ‘a song sung to music, intonation’