Ĕm'pha-sis, n.

n.; pl. ĔM'PHA-SĒS. [Lat. emphasis, Gr. ἔμφασις, significance, force of expression, from ἐμφαίνειν, to show in, to indicate, from ἐμ, for ἐν, in, and φαίνειν, to show.]

1Sense 1. (Rhet.) A particular stress of utterance, or force of voice, given to the words or parts of a discourse, whose signification the speaker intends to impress specially upon his audience.

The province of emphasis is so much more important than accent, that the customary seat of the latter is changed, when the claims of emphasis require it. E. Porter.

2Sense 2. A peculiar impressiveness of expression or weight of thought; vivid representation, enforcing assent; as, to dwell on a subject with great emphasis.

External objects stands before us . . . in all the life and emphasis of extension, figure, and color. Sir W. Hamilton.