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70 The words which admit of this diversity of accent are the following:

. To this analogy, some speakers are endeavouring to reduce the word contents; which, when it signifies the matter contained in a book, is often heard with the accent on the first syllable; but though this pronunciation serves to distinguish words which are different in signification, and to give, in some measure, a difference of form to the noun and verb, in which our tongue is remarkably deficient, still it is doubtful whether this distinction be of any real advantage to the language. See. This diversity of accentuation seems to have place in some compound verbs. See and the subsequent words.

. Sometimes words have a different accent, as they are adjectives or substantives.

. Sometimes the same parts of speech have a different accent to mark a difference of signification.

. In this analogy some speakers pronounce the word Concordance with the accent on the first syllable, when it signifies a dictionary of the Bible; and with the accent on the second, when it signifies agreement: but besides that, there is not the same reason for distinguishing nouns from each other, as there is nouns from verbs; the accent on the first syllable of the word Concordance gives a harshness and poverty to its sound, which ought to be avoided.

. But though the different accentuation of nouns and verbs of the same form does not extend so far as might be expected, it is certain, that in words of two syllables, where the noun and verb are of different forms, there is an evident tendency in the language to place the accent upon the first syllable of the noun, and on the last of the verb. Hence the nouns outrage, upstart, and uproar, have the accent on the first syllable; and the verbs to uplift, to uphold, and to outstrip, on the last.

. This analogy will appear still more evident if we attend to the accent of those nouns and verbs which are compounded of two words. Every dissyllable compounded of words which, taken separately, have a meaning, may be deemed a qualified substantive; and that word which qualifies or describes the other, is that which most distinguishes it, and consequently is that which ought to have the accent: accordingly we find that inkhorn, outrage, chairman, freehold, sand-box, book-case, pen-knife, have the accent on the first syllable, which is the specifying part of the word; while gainsay, foresee, overlook, undersell, have the accent on the last syllable, which is the least distinguishing part of the word. This rule, however, is either by the caprice of custom, or the love of harmony, frequently violated, but is sufficiently extensive to mark the general tendency of the language. Akenside brings the verb to comment under this analogy: