'accentuate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'accentuare,' where 'ad-' meant 'toward' and 'centum' meant 'hundred.'

'accentuare' transformed into the French word 'accentuer,' and eventually became the modern English word 'accentuate' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to mark with an accent,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to emphasize or highlight.'