tonic accent

noun

1. prominence given to a syllable in speaking, usually due to a change, especially a rise, in pitch.

tonic accent

noun

1. emphasis imparted to a note by virtue of its having a higher pitch, rather than greater stress or long duration relative to other notes
2. another term for pitch accent

Word History and Origins

Origin of tonic accent¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Eventually he discovers the tonic accent of the word, which is then immediately identified.

From Project Gutenberg

In fact, we have seen that, as the child reads, it is his discovery of the tonic accent that brings him to recognize the word.

From Project Gutenberg

The first consists of a list of words, each on a separate card, with the tonic accent marked.

From Project Gutenberg

The Greek accents on Hebrew words always accord, as Hebraists know, with the tonic accent in that language.

From Project Gutenberg

Even in words of two syllables the tonic accent must be strongly perceived in the first syllable.

From Project Gutenberg