/em"feuh sis/ , n. , pl. emphases /-seez'/ .
1. special stress laid upon, or importance attached to, anything: The president's statement gave emphasis to the budgetary crisis.
2. something that is given great stress or importance: Morality was the emphasis of his speech.
3. Rhet.
a. special and significant stress of voice laid on particular words or syllables.
b. stress laid on particular words, by means of position, repetition, or other indication.
4. intensity or force of expression, action, etc.: Determination lent emphasis to his proposals.
5. prominence, as of form or outline: The background detracts from the emphasis of the figure.
6. Electronics. preemphasis.
[ 1565-75; émphasis indication, equiv. to em- EM- 2 + phásis PHASIS ]