accent vs ascent vs assent
Definitions
verb
- put stress on; utter with an accent
- to stress, single out as important
noun
- the relative prominence of a syllable or musical note (especially with regard to stress or pitch)
- distinctive manner of oral expression
- the usage or vocabulary that is characteristic of a specific group of people
- a diacritical mark used to indicate stress or placed above a vowel to indicate a special pronunciation
- special importance or significance
Examples
A few plum accents can bring in a note of elegance to any room; try a throw pillow or two, or a plum lampshade with a fringe?
This patronising voice with a whine and an awful regional accent was talking.
Mustard, salt, picholine olives and super-thin rye toasts give the house-cured gravlax just the right accents.
Definitions
noun
- the act of changing location in an upward direction
- an upward slope or grade (as in a road)
- a movement upward
Examples
Diving underweighted can lead to buoyant ascents at the end of the dive, so I am not advocating that everyone knocks a couple of kilos off the next time they dive.
This nascent bleach can also react with primary or secondary amines to form longer lasting, antimicrobial chloramines.
At the end of an hour, the ascent becoming every moment more abrupt, we had passed the belt of trees and bushes, and reached the smooth and scoriaceous cone, which, during the rainy season, appears from the bay to be covered with a velvety mantle of green.
Definitions
noun
- agreement with a statement or proposal to do something
verb
- to agree or express agreement
Examples
Second, that the entire Reichstag assented to the declarations made by the speakers on Tuesday that the Emperor had exceeded his constitutional prerogatives in private discussion with foreigners concerning Germany's attitude on controverted questions.
By convention, this assent is always forthcoming.
The Executive undertakes to produce a coherent programme of government which the parliament is duty bound to scrutinise, debate and give assent to.