Definition of emphasis

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< empery

emphasize >

em·pha·sis    (mf-ss) KEY 

NOUN:
pl. em·pha·ses  (-sz) KEY 

1. Special forcefulness of expression that gives importance to something singled out; stress: a lecture on housekeeping with emphasis on neatness; paused for emphasis, then announced the winner's name.
2. Special attention or effort directed toward something: a small-town newspaper's emphasis on local affairs.
3. Prominence given to a syllable, word, or words, as by raising the voice or printing in italic type.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Latin, from Greek, from emphainein, to exhibit, display : en-, in ; see en-² + phainein, to show; see bh-¹ in Indo-European roots

SYNONYMS:
emphasis, accent, stress

These nouns mean special weight placed on something considered important: an education with an emphasis on science; will study music with an accent on jazz; laid heavy stress on law and order.