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Webster 1828 Edition

Italics

ITAL'ICS

,
Noun.
plu.
Italic letters or characters; characters first used in Italy,and which stand inclining; the letters in which this clause is printed. They are used to distinguish words for emphasis, importance, antithesis, &c.

Definition 2024

italics

italics

English

Noun

italics

  1. (typography, plural only) letters in an italic typeface.
    There is no need to put the whole paragraph in italics.
  2. (usually plural but sometimes singular in construction) plural of italic exaggerated intonation or some similar oral speech device by which one or more words is heavily and usually affectedly emphasized or otherwise given sharp prominence
    • Margaret Long:
      was yapping, her silly voice fraught with italics.
    • W.J.Locke:
      a woman who has an irritating way of speaking in italics

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