accolade

An accolade is an expression of praise or an award. It can denote recognition of achievement or distinction and is used to refer to both the act of honoring someone and the prize or title given.

Historically, especially in medieval Europe, the accolade referred to the ritual of knighthood. The ceremony typically involved the investiture of a knight, often marked by a ceremonial touch or tap with a sword, and sometimes an embrace or kiss, symbolizing the oath of fealty and the conferring of status.

In contemporary usage, accolades include trophies, medals, certificates, titles, or honors awarded by organizations, institutions, or governments. The term can refer to the award itself or to the act of praising someone. It is commonly used in biographical contexts, as in “the author received accolades for her novel,” and it generally connotes formal recognition of merit rather than casual praise.