accolade
UK: ˈæk.ə.leɪd | US: ˈæk.ə.leɪd
n. an award or privilege granted as a special honor or recognition of merit
n. a ceremonial embrace or gesture (e.g., a tap on the shoulder with a sword) conferring knighthood
n. (figuratively) strong praise or approval
accolade = ac<to> + col<neck> + ade<noun suffix>
- ac<to>: From Latin ad- ("to, toward"), indicating direction or addition.
- col<neck>: From Latin collum ("neck"), referencing the ceremonial embrace or tap on the neck/shoulder.
- ade<noun suffix>: A suffix forming nouns of action or result (e.g., "blockade").
Etymology Origin:
The word accolade traces back to the Latin accolare ("to embrace around the neck"), combining ad- (toward) and collum (neck). In medieval knighthood ceremonies, the act of embracing or tapping the neck with a sword symbolized honor. Over time, it broadened to signify any formal award or praise. The logic reflects physical gesture → symbolic honor → abstract recognition.
She received an accolade for her groundbreaking research.
The knight knelt to receive the accolade from the queen.
Critics showered the film with accolades.
His promotion was the highest accolade in the company.
The Pulitzer Prize is among the most prestigious accolades in journalism.