'accentuate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'accentuatus,' where 'ad-' meant 'to' and 'centuare' meant 'to sing or chant.'

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

Initially, it meant 'to sing or chant to,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to make something more noticeable or prominent.'