accentuated
UK[əkˈsɛntʃueɪtɪd]US[əkˈsɛntʃueɪtɪd]
v
To make something more noticeable or prominent.
v
To emphasize or stress a particular feature or syllable.
Morpheme Breakdown
ac
cent
uated
ac
to
cent
sing
uated
verb suffix
Etymology
The word 'accentuate' originates from the Medieval Latin 'accentuare', meaning 'to sing or play an accent'. This verb was formed from 'accentus', which itself is a compound of 'ad-' (to) and 'cantus' (song), literally translating to 'a song added to speech'. The core concept of 'accentus' in Latin grammar referred to the tone or pitch applied to a syllable. Over centuries, this musical and tonal association broadened into the general sense of giving prominence or emphasis to any feature, not just in speech. The modern English verb 'accentuated' thus retains the logical progression from the literal idea of adding a sung tone to the abstract act of making something more noticeable or stressed.
Analysis
Structure: ac (to) + cent (sing) + uated (verb suffix)
- ac: Latin prefix 'ad-', meaning 'to' or 'toward'. It assimilates to 'ac-' before 'c'.
- cent: From Latin 'cantus', meaning 'song' or 'singing', derived from the verb 'canere'.
- uated: A complex verb-forming suffix from Latin '-uare', which creates verbs from nouns or adjectives, plus the past participle suffix '-ed'.
Examples
The dark eyeliner accentuated the brilliant blue of her eyes.
The architect's design accentuated the building's vertical lines.
He accentuated the first syllable of the word for clarity.