a. rare in mod. use. Also 7 emphaticall. [f. as prec. + -AL.]
† 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 (1684), 24. The expression of Scripture is more Emphatical than is commonly apprehended.
1702. Eng. Theophrast., 337. Great things must be deliver’d 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. Brathwait, Eng. Gentl. (1641), 221. This … forced from that devout and zealous Father this emphaticall discourse.
1713. Guardian, No. 79. The emphatical expression of praise and blame.
1748. J. Mason, Elocut., 23–4. And the emphatical Words … in a Sentence are those which carry a Weight or Importance in themselves.
1817. 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, i. 37. 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. Againe, they were mistaken in the Emphaticall apprehension, placing the consideration upon the words, If I will, whereas it properly lay in these, when I come.
3. Of actions, sentiments, etc.: Forcible, strongly marked.
1581. J. Bell, Haddon’s Answ. Osor., 436 b. We … apply … vnproper and borowed speeches to make the matter seeme more Emphaticall.
1765. Law, trans. 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 colors: 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 (1670), 76 (J.). Emphatical Colours are Light it self modify’d by Refractions chiefly.
1708. Kersey, Emphatical or apparent colours, those which are often seen in clouds; before the Rising, or after the setting of the Sun, &c.
1721–1800. in Bailey.
