Part of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

/əˈkjuːt ˈæksɛnt/

Definitions

1. A diacritical mark (´) placed above a vowel to indicate a specific pronunciation, typically in languages such as Spanish and French.
2. In phonetics, it signifies a stressed syllable in a word.

Usage Examples

• "The word 'café' uses an acute accent on the 'e'."
• "In Spanish, an acute accent indicates where the stress falls in a word."

Etymology

The term "acute" comes from the Latin "acutus," meaning "sharp" or "pointed," referring to the shape of the accent mark.

Synonyms

• Accent mark
• Diacritic

Antonyms

• Grave accent
• Flat accent

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

The pronunciation of acute accents may vary in different languages and regions.

Historical Usage

Acute accents have been used in written language since the ancient Greeks and Romans to denote stress and pitch.

Cultural Nuances

In various languages, the acute accent serves not only as a pronunciation guide but also affects the meaning of words.

More Information

The acute accent plays a crucial role in many languages, enhancing clarity in communication and pronunciation.