diacritical

adjective

di·​a·​crit·​i·​cal ˌdī-ə-ˈkri-ti-kəl 

variants or less commonly diacritic

ˌdī-ə-ˈkri-tik 

1

: serving as a diacritic

2

a

: distinctive

the diacritical elements in culture

—S. F. Nadel

b

: capable of distinguishing

students of superior diacritical powers

Examples of diacritical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Attendees learn multisyllabic Hawaiian words and the diacritical marks that are a key feature of the language, says Kaʻaiʻōhelo McAfee-Torco, the property’s cultural leader. —Hannah Selinger, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2024

And diacritical marks aren't permitted in California though there has been legislation introduced recently to change this. —Anna Halkidis, Parents, 29 Jan. 2024

Editor’s note: Chron recognizes the importance of diacritical marks in the Hawaiian language. —Lori A. May, Chron, 19 Mar. 2023

As a result, the Calligrapher.ai handwriting synthesis model is heavily tuned toward English-language writing, and people on Hacker News have reported trouble reproducing diacritical marks that are commonly found in other languages. —Benj Edwards, Ars Technica, 26 Jan. 2023

Sometimes, but not always, the vowels are indicated by diacritical marks. —Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 18 Nov. 2021

The diacritical marks help readers distinguish between words that would otherwise look identical. —Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2021

Both systems can be supplemented with diacritical marks that modify pronunciation and meaning. —The Economist, 3 Oct. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Greek diakritikos separative, from diakrinein to distinguish, from dia- + krinein to separate — more at certain

First Known Use

1749, in the meaning defined at sense 1