n.; pl. Emphases [ L., fr. Gr. 'e`mfasis significance, force of expression, fr. 'emfai`nein to show in, indicate; 'en in + fai`nein to show. See In, and Phase. ] 1. (Rhet.) A particular stress of utterance, or force of voice, given in reading and speaking to one or more words whose signification the speaker intends to impress specially upon his audience. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A peculiar impressiveness of expression or weight of thought; vivid representation, enforcing assent; as, to dwell on a subject with great emphasis. [ 1913 Webster ]

External objects stand before us . . . in all the life and emphasis of extension, figure, and color. Sir W. Hamilton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. a special attention given to, or extra importance attached to, something; as, a guided tour of Egypt with emphasis on the monuments along the Nile. [ PJC ]

4. something to which great importance is attached; as, the need for increased spending on education was the emphasis of his speech. [ PJC ]

v. t. To place emphasis on; same as emphasize.
Syn. -- overemphasize, over-emphasize, overstress. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Emphasized p. pr. & vb. n. Emphasizing ] To utter or pronounce with a particular stress of voice; to make emphatic; as, to emphasize a word or a phrase.

adj. Having stress or emphasis.
Syn. -- emphatic. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. The act of giving special importance or significance to something.
Syn. -- accenting. [ WordNet 1.5 ]