Italicises

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

  1. To emphasize text by slanting the letters forward in style; to mark words for distinction in writing or printing; to apply a typographic effect that tilts characters rightward
  2. To set type so that characters lean forward for emphasis; to designate certain print as distinctive; to style letters with a forward tilt for visibility
  3. To render text in a slanted form to highlight or distinguish it; to format words with a right-leaning appearance; to use angled lettering for emphasis in written language

Etymology: The verb in question is a British English form derived from the word "italicize," which itself traces back to the Renaissance period. The original concept emerged with the invention of the italic typeface by the Italian printer Aldus Manutius in the early 16th century. Manutius designed this slanted script to save space and to resemble the handwriting of Italian humanists, making texts more elegant and readable. The term for these slanted letters naturally took on the name "italic," directly referencing their Italian origin. The action of "italicising" something—applying the italic style—came into English as a verb much later, likely in the 18th or 19th century, as printing and typography became more widespread and the practice of emphasizing words in text became common. The suffix "-ise" is a British English adaptation equivalent to the American "-ize," attached to "italic" to form the verb meaning "to render in italic type." The spelling with an "s" rather than a "z" reflects a broader pattern in British English where verbs ending in "-ize" in American English often appear as "-ise" in British usage without changing the meaning. Though the verb itself is straightforward—meaning to put text in italics—it carries the historical weight of the printing revolution and the humanist movement that prized clarity and style in written language. In sum, this verb captures a specific typographical action rooted in a distinctly Italian innovation, filtered through centuries of printing history and linguistic adaptation. It embodies how a simple stylistic choice in text connects us back to Renaissance Italy and the evolving conventions of English spelling and typography.

Synonyms: emphasizes, highlights, underscores, italicizes, emboldens

Antonyms: plain, de-emphasizes, understates, neutralizes, normalizes