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dramatic accent

flowersophy

Senior Member
Chinese-China
Hi,
Does "dramatic accent" mean "a technique of expression used in a drama" or "dramatic effects" or"dramatic emphasis"?
She had no respect for the rule that says that tall-growing plants belong at the rear of a perennial border, low ones in the front and middle-sized ones in the middle, with occasional exceptions for dramatic accent. In her garden, everything was accent, everything was tall......(From A Garden that Welcome Strangers by Allen Lacy)

Thanks very much!
In your example, you should understand "accent" as "emphasis".
I take dramatic accent to refer to (one or more) spectacular highlights. See these definitions of accent from the OED:
9. Distinction; a distinguishing mark, character, or tone; distinctive force, sharpness, prominence, or intensity; (esp. with on) emphasis, stress.
10.
a. Distinctive visual emphasis; contrast of colour or light; a touch of colour or light which brings the features of a structure into relief or provides a contrast in a composition or colour scheme.
b. A feature other than light or colour which emphasizes or sets off a decorative style or an outfit, esp. by contrast. Chiefly U.S.
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"Dramatic" in the context of the quote from Allan Lacy means "calling attention to itself." Therefore it means "standing out" so I see how you thought of "outstanding," but "outstanding" means specifically something that stands out because of excellence, whereas "dramatic" in this context means something that stands out because of boldness, even pushiness.
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