secondary accent

noun

1. a stress accent weaker than primary accent but stronger than lack of stress.

secondary accent

noun

1. phonetics (in a system of transcribing utterances recognizing three levels of stress) the accent on a syllable of a word or breath group that is weaker than the primary accent but stronger than the lack of stress Compare primary accent

   in the word ``agriculture'' the secondary accent falls on the third syllable

Word History and Origins

Origin of secondary accent¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

After the team selects dominant and secondary accent colors, each player can choose only from cleats that have been previously approved by the league.

From New York Times

Before such an “imperfect” i or u the preceding syllable has a secondary accent, if it has not already got the main one.

From Project Gutenberg

In illustration he gives the word ponderous, where the first syllable has the chief accent, the last a secondary accent, the second no accent; while in the verse "Most ponderous and substantial things" the second syllable is suppressed or silent.

From Project Gutenberg

They provide no place for the secondary accent.

From Project Gutenberg

In the verse— "By these the springs of property were bent" the fourth foot is counted a pyrrhic; so also in this— "Their busy teachers mingled with the Jews," although here a certain secondary accent on the eighth syllable is possible.

From Project Gutenberg