ACCENT, in reading or speaking, an inflection of the voice, which gives to each syllable of a word its due pitch in respect of height or lowness. See READING. The word is originally Latin, accentus: a compound of ad, to; and cans, to sing. Accentus, quasi ad cantum, or juxta cantum. In this sense, accent is synonymous with the Greek voix; the Latin tenor, or tonus; and the Hebrew gustus, gustus, taste.—For the doctrine of Accents in Composition, see POETRY, Part III. N° 103. 114.