accolade
pronunciation
How to pronounce accolade in British English:
UK [ˈækəleɪd]
How to pronounce accolade in American English:
US [ˈækəleɪd]
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- Noun:
- a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
Word Origin
- accolade
- accolade: [17] Accolade goes back to an assumed Vulgar Latin verb *accollāre, meaning ‘put one’s arms round someone’s neck’ (collum is Latin for ‘neck’, and is the source of English collar). It put in its first recorded appearance in the Provençal noun acolada, which was borrowed into French as accolade and thence made its way into English. A memory of the original literal meaning is preserved in the use of accolade to refer to the ceremonial striking of a sword on a new knight’s shoulders; the main current sense ‘congratulatory expression of approval’ is a later development.=> collar
- accolade (n.)
- 1620s, from French accolade (16c.), from Provençal acolada or Italian accollata, ultimately from noun use of a fem. past participle from Vulgar Latin *accollare "to embrace around the neck," from Latin ad- "to" (see ad-) + collum "neck" (see collar (n.)). The original sense is of an embrace about the neck or the tapping of a sword on the shoulders to confer knighthood. Extended meaning "praise, award" is from 1852. Also see -ade. Earlier was accoll (mid-14c.), from Old French acolee "an embrace, kiss, especially that given to a new-made knight," from verb acoler. The French noun in the 16c. was transformed to accolade, with the foreign suffix.
Example
- 1. This was the highest accolade he could receive .
- 2. Her approval was the highest accolade he could have received .
- 3. Rooney has scored 19 goals this season , but it also his overall contribution to united 's play that earned him the accolade .
- 4. Acquiring what opportunity and accolade challenge is the overseas-funded enterprises first of our country .
- 5. Strangely , the yen may be the more deserving of that accolade .