Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
preemphasis

preemphasis

9.3
A process that raises high sounds before sending or recording so they are clearer
  • noun
  • /priːˈɛm.fə.sɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : preénfasis
  • The audio engineer applied preemphasis to enhance the clarity of high-frequency sounds in the recording.

Examples

  • To reduce unwanted noise, the radio station implemented preemphasis on the higher frequencies before transmitting the signal.

  • By using preemphasis, the technician improved signal quality, making the broadcast clearer and more pleasant to listen to.

  • Finally, the use of preemphasis and the presence of background noise can affect measures of peak frequencies, spectral tilt, and spectral moments.

    Academic text (2013)

Surface Forms

preemphasis singular
preemphases plural

Morphology

preemphasis = emphasis (semi-transparent) = pre + emphasis

The form clearly means emphasis applied beforehand, but the specialized signal-processing sense is not fully predictable for general learners.

Etymology

Preemphasis breaks into pre- meaning 'before' and emphasis, the same root as in emphasize, meaning 'extra strength or stress'. So it means giving high sounds a small 'before' boost, increasing them before sending so they arrive clearer and with less noise.