'Grave accent' definitions:

Definition of 'grave accent'

From: WordNet
noun
A mark (`) placed above a vowel to indicate pronunciation [syn: grave accent, grave]

Definition of 'Grave accent'

From: GCIDE
  • Grave \Grave\, a. [Compar. Graver (gr[=a]v"[~e]r); superl. Gravest.] [F., fr. L. gravis heavy; cf. It. & Sp. grave heavy, grave. See Grief.]
  • 1. Of great weight; heavy; ponderous. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • His shield grave and great. --Chapman. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Of importance; momentous; weighty; influential; sedate; serious; -- said of character, relations, etc.; as, grave deportment, character, influence, etc. [1913 Webster]
  • Most potent, grave, and reverend seigniors. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • A grave and prudent law, full of moral equity. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Not light or gay; solemn; sober; plain; as, a grave color; a grave face. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. (Mus.) (a) Not acute or sharp; low; deep; -- said of sound; as, a grave note or key. [1913 Webster]
  • The thicker the cord or string, the more grave is the note or tone. --Moore (Encyc. of Music). (b) Slow and solemn in movement. [1913 Webster]
  • Grave accent. (Pron.) See the Note under Accent, n., 2.
  • Syn: Solemn; sober; serious; sage; staid; demure; thoughtful; sedate; weighty; momentous; important.
  • Usage: Grave, Sober, Serious, Solemn. Sober supposes the absence of all exhilaration of spirits, and is opposed to gay or flighty; as, sober thought. Serious implies considerateness or reflection, and is opposed to jocose or sportive; as, serious and important concerns. Grave denotes a state of mind, appearance, etc., which results from the pressure of weighty interests, and is opposed to hilarity of feeling or vivacity of manner; as, a qrave remark; qrave attire. Solemn is applied to a case in which gravity is carried to its highest point; as, a solemn admonition; a solemn promise. [1913 Webster]