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 canto, to sing. Accentus, quasi ad cantum, or juxta cantum. In this sense, accent is synonymous with the Greek tonos; the Latin tenor, or tonor; and the Hebrew גִּדּוֹן, gustus, taste.—For the doctrine of Accents, in Composition, see POETRY, Part III.