emphatical, a. rare in mod. use.
(ɛmˈfætɪkəl)
Also 7 emphaticall.
[f. as prec. + -al1.]
† 1. That implies more than is directly expressed; allusive, suggestive. (Cf. emphasis 1.) Obs.
| a 1555 Latimer Serm. & Rem. (1845) 274 Chrysostom hath many figurative speeches and emphatical locutions. a 1682 Sir T. Browne Tracts 24 The expression of Scripture is more emphatical than is commonly apprehended. 1702 Eng. Theophrast. 337 Great things must be delivered plainly, an emphatical tone would spoil all. 1775 Adair Amer. Ind. 56 It is an emphatical and emblematical term to express evil, by the negative of good. |
2. Of speech or writing: Strongly expressive, forcible, pointed. Of a word: That has special importance in the sentence; hence, that receives the stress in pronunciation.
| 1577 Harrison England ii. xxv. i. 362 Hir owne image and emphaticall superscription. 1630 R. Brathwait Eng. Gentl. (1641) 221 This..forced from that..Father this emphaticall discourse. 1713 Guardian No. 79 The emphatical expression of praise and blame. 1748 J. Mason Elocut. 26 And the emphatical Words..in a Sentence are those which carry a Weight or Importance in themselves. 1818 Jas. Mill Brit. India II. iv. ix. 288 Used so many and such emphatical terms to impress a belief, that, etc. 1824 L. Murray Eng. Gram. I. 185 Other words..may begin with capitals, when they are remarkably emphatical. |
† b. That is designated emphatically or ‘par excellence’. Obs.
| 1644–52 J. Smith Sel. Disc. vii. iv. (1821) 348 The time of that emphatical revelation of the great mystery of God. 1658 Sir T. Browne Gard. Cyrus II. 500 The Emphaticall decussation or fundamental figure. 1758 S. Hayward Serm. xvi. 484 The day of Christ's appearance is..the emphatical day. |
† c. Of or pertaining to emphasis. Obs.
| 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. vii. x. 357 They were mistaken in the Emphaticall apprehension. |
3. Of actions, sentiments, etc.: Forcible, strongly marked.
| 1581 J. Bell Haddon's Answ. Osor. 436 We..apply..improper and borrowed speeches to make the matter seem more emphaticall. 1765 Law tr. Behmen's Myst. Magnum xxxii. (1772) 168 Here we have a very excellent and emphatical example. a 1789 Burney Hist. Mus. (ed. 2) II. iv. 273 Musicians..who..ornament their persons in the most emphatical manner. 1805 Foster Ess. i. vii. 108 Some..brand of emphatical reprobation. |
4. Of a person: That uses emphasis in speech or action; that speaks or acts in a pointed and forcible manner.
| 1606 Sir G. Goosecappe i. i, in Bullen Old Pl. III. 10 My Captaine is the Emphaticall man. 1631 Gouge God's Arrows v. i. 375 In setting downe this he is also very emphaticall. 1649 Milton Eikon. 31 On this Theam the King was emphatical and elaborate. 1678 T. Jordan Tri. Lond. in Heath Grocers' Comp. (1869) 528 Pleased with..the promptitude of the emphatical speaker. 1831 Carlyle Misc. (1857) II. 237 Dame Ute bids her not be too emphatical. |
† II. 5. [cf. emphasis 7.] Of colours: Merely apparent, illusory. Obs.
| 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. vi. ix. 322 That there is an emphaticall or apparent rednesse in one. 1663 Boyle Colours (J.), Emphatical colours are light itself modified by refractions. 1708 Kersey, Emphatical or apparent colours, those which are often seen in clouds; before the Rising, or after the setting of the Sun, etc. 1721–1800 in Bailey. |