Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
grave-accent
Noun
/ɡreɪv ˈæk.sɛnt/
Definition
A diacritical mark used in writing to indicate a specific pronunciation and tonal quality of a vowel.
Examples
- The word ‘café’ features a grave-accent on the ‘e’ to signal its pronunciation.
- In Italian, the grave accent is used on vowels to denote stressed syllables, as in ‘città.’
- Many French words, such as ‘où,’ use the grave accent to distinguish them from similar words like ‘ou.’
Meaning
The grave accent typically signifies that the vowel it is attached to should be pronounced with a lower pitch or in a particular way, differing from its base form. It is commonly found in various languages, particularly in French and Italian.
Synonyms
- Diacritic
- Accent mark
- Grave diacritical sign
