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n. pl. em·pha·ses (-sēz′) 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. [Latin, from Greek, from emphainein, to exhibit, display : en-, in; see EN-2 + phainein, to show; see bhā-1 in the Appendix of 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. |
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