accolade

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Archaic · Formal

n. a ceremony where someone is made a knight, usually by a light touch on the shoulder with a sword.

n. a ceremonial salutation marking the conferring of knighthood, typically involving a light blow on the shoulders with the flat of a sword.

“The queen gave the soldier the accolade during the ceremony at the palace.”

“The historical drama meticulously recreated the moment the squire received the accolade, transitioning from a commoner to a knight of the realm.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Music Technical

n. a vertical line or bracket that joins two or more lines of music to be played together.

n. a brace or curly bracket used to join two or more staves in a musical score, indicating they should be performed simultaneously.

“The pianist noticed that the accolade on the first page was printed incorrectly.”

“In complex orchestral scores, the accolade helps the conductor quickly identify which instruments are grouped into a single section.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Science Technical

n. a decorative curve used in buildings, often above a door or window.

n. an ornament composed of two ogee curves meeting in the middle, typically found in Gothic architecture.

“The old stone doorway was decorated with a beautiful accolade.”

“The restoration team spent weeks repairing the crumbling accolade above the cathedral's north entrance to preserve the original Gothic aesthetic.”

C2 · Proficiency Formal · Literary

v. to give someone a lot of praise or a special award.

v. to confer praise, awards, or high honors upon an individual or entity.

“The director was accoladed by his peers for his lifetime of work in film.”

“Though the author was widely accoladed by critics, he remained humble and rarely made public appearances.”