[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

accolade \ac`colade"\ a^k`k-ol=ad" or
   a^k`k-ol.ad"; 277, n. f. accolade, it. accolata, fr.
   accollare to embrace; l. ad + collum neck.
   1. a ceremony formerly used in conferring knighthood,
      consisting of an embrace, and a slight blow on the
      shoulders with the flat blade of a sword.
      1913 webster

   2. mus. a brace used to join two or more staves.
      1913 webster

[2] : WordNet (r) 2.0

accolade
     n : a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction; "an
         award for bravery" syn: award, honor, honour, laurels
see also:
award honor honour laurels 

[3] : Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

40 moby thesaurus words for "accolade":
   adulation, apotheosis, award, badge, bays, bepraisement, citation,
   congratulation, decoration, deification, distinction, eloge,
   encomium, eulogium, eulogy, exaltation, excessive praise, flattery,
   glorification, glory, hero worship, homage, hommage, honor,
   honorable mention, idolatry, idolizing, kudos, laud, laudation,
   laurels, lionizing, magnification, meed of praise, mention,
   overpraise, paean, panegyric, praise, tribute

Accolade >> A Words
Accolade, definition of term: Accolade
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