The correct spelling of the word "italicise" is a subject of debate due to differences in British and American English conventions. In British English, the correct spelling is "italicise" with the pronunciation /ɪˈtæl.ɪ.saɪz/. However, in American English, the correct spelling is "italicize" with the pronunciation /ɪˈtæl.ə.saɪz/. The word refers to the act of emphasizing a word or phrase by putting it in italic font. Regardless of the spelling, it is important to consistently use the proper form in written communication.
Italicise (verb):
To italicise means to emphasize or highlight a specific word, phrase, or section of text by converting it to italic font style. Italicising is often employed in written language to draw attention to significant or noteworthy content, allowing it to stand out visually from the surrounding text. Italicising is commonly used in various forms of communication, including formal and informal writing, print media, online platforms, and published works across different disciplines such as literature, academia, journalism, and advertising.
When italicising a word or phrase, the regular upright letters are slanted to the right, creating a visually distinct appearance. This stylistic alteration provides a noticeable contrast, aiding in the clarity and ease of understanding the intended message or highlighting a particular idea. Italicised text is frequently used to denote titles of books, journals, articles, films, poems, or songs, foreign words or phrases, scientific names of species, or to add emphasis, nuance, or a distinct voice to written content.
To italicise a text element, one can utilize various methods depending on the medium or software being used. This can include selecting the desired text and applying the italic formatting option in word processors or text editors, using appropriate coding or markup languages in web pages or documents, or employing specialized typographic features in publishing software. Ultimately, italicisation serves as an effective tool to enhance the visual impact and convey specific meaning within written and typographic compositions.
To write or print in italics.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "italicise" is derived from the word "italic", which relates to the style of typeface known as italic.
The term "italic" originates from the Latin word "italicus", which refers to anything related to Italy. It is believed that the term originally referred to a style of handwriting that emerged in Italy during the Renaissance period. This handwriting style was distinguished by its slanted and cursive appearance.
Over time, this distinctive style of handwriting was adapted into a typeface, known as italic type. Italic typeface is commonly used to emphasize or differentiate text within a written or printed document. As a verb, "italicise" is used to indicate the act of putting text in italic type or emphasizing it in a similar manner.