emphasis
UK[ˈemfəsɪs]US[ˈemfəsɪs]
n
Special importance, value, or prominence given to something.
n
Stress laid on a word or words to indicate special meaning or particular importance.
Morpheme Breakdown
em
phasis
em
in
phasis
appearance, statement
Etymology
The word 'emphasis' entered English in the late 16th century via Latin from the Greek 'emphasis', which meant 'significance' or 'forceful expression'. The Greek term itself was a combination of 'em-' (a variant of 'en-', meaning 'in') and 'phasis' (meaning 'appearance' or 'statement'), from the verb 'phainein' (to show). Literally, it conveyed the idea of 'making an appearance within' a statement, implying that extra meaning or stress was being placed 'in' the words to make a point more visible or significant. Over time, this evolved from a rhetorical term for stress in speech to its broader modern meaning of special importance or prominence given to any subject or element.
Analysis
Structure: em (in) + phasis (appearance, statement)
- em: A prefix of Greek origin, a form of 'en-' meaning 'in, into, within'.
- phasis: From Greek 'phasis', meaning 'appearance, speech, statement', derived from the verb 'phainein' (to show, to make appear).
Examples
The teacher placed great emphasis on clear writing.
In the word "understand", the primary emphasis is on the final syllable.
The company's new policy puts a strong emphasis on sustainability.