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emphasis

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The definition of emphasis is special attention put on something to give it importance.

(noun)

An example of emphasis is bolding the font of a particular word in a document to bring attention to it.
An example of emphasis is a woman wearing a low cut shirt in order to bring attention to her cleavage.

See emphasis in Webster's New World College Dictionary

force of expression, thought, feeling, action, etc.
special stress given as to a syllable, word, or phrase in speaking
special attention given to something so as to make it stand out; importance; stress; weight: to put less emphasis on athletics

Origin: L < Gr emphasis, an appearing in, outward appearance < emphainein, to indicate < en-, in + phainein, to show < IE base *bha-, to shine > OE bonian, to polish

See emphasis in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. em·pha·ses (-sēzˌ)

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.
Special attention or effort directed toward something: a small-town newspaper's emphasis on local affairs.
Prominence given to a syllable, word, or words, as by raising the voice or printing in italic type.

Origin:

Origin: Latin

Origin: , from Greek

Origin: , from emphainein, to exhibit, display

Origin: : en-, in; see en-²

Origin: + phainein, to show; see bhā-¹ in Indo-European roots

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