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accent

accent

noun ahk-SAHN Less Common

Origin: Latin accentus

Also means

emphasis, stress

Usage Note

Accent covers both a regional or foreign spoken accent and the written accent marks used in French — un accent aigu (é), un accent grave (è), un accent circonflexe (ê). The phrase mettre l'accent sur means 'to place emphasis on', used figuratively. The final t is silent.

Examples

"Il parle avec un fort accent du sud."

Natural Translation

He speaks with a strong southern accent.

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