emphasis

/ˈem(p)-fə-səs/

borrowed from Latin, "use of language to imply more than is actually said, implication" (Late Latin also "appearance," Medieval Latin "prominence of expression, stress"), borrowed from Greek émphasis "appearance in a smooth surface, reflection, outward appearance, setting forth, exposition, significance, force of expression," from empha-, stem in noun derivation of emphaínein "to exhibit, display, indicate," emphaínesthai "to be reflected, become visible" (from em- + phaínein "to bring to light, cause to appear," and phaínesthai "to become visible, appear") + -sis -sis

noun

  1. force or intensity of expression that gives impressiveness or importance to something

  2. a particular prominence given in reading or speaking to one or more words or syllables

  3. special consideration of or stress or insistence on something

verb

  1. to reduce in relative importance; also : play, down

noun

  1. the act or an instance of emphasizing something again or differently

a recent reemphasis on/of traditional values