Webster's English Dictionary

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emphasis

em.pha.sis \'em(p)-f*-s*s\ \-f*-.se-z\ n or em.pha.ses [L, fr. Gk, 
   exposition, emphasis, fr. emphainein to indicate, fr. en-)] plX + phainein 
   to show 1a: a forcefulness of expression that gives special impressiveness 
   or impor tance 1b: a particular prominence given in reading or speaking to 
   one or more wor ds or syllables 2: special consideration of or stress or 
   insistence upon something