de-emphasizer
|de-em-pha-si-zer|
C1
🇺🇸
/diˈɛmfəˌsaɪzər/
🇬🇧
/diˈɛmfəˌsaɪzə/
reduce emphasis
Etymology
Etymology Information
'de-emphasizer' originates from English, specifically the prefix 'de-' meaning 'reduce' and the root 'emphasize' meaning 'to give special importance to something'.
Historical Evolution
'de-emphasize' transformed into the noun form 'de-emphasizer' to denote a tool or method for reducing emphasis.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to reduce emphasis', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a tool or method used to reduce the emphasis on something.
The teacher used a de-emphasizer to shift focus from grades to learning.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/04/19 22:13