underscore

[ verb uhn-der-skawr, -skohr, uhn-der-skawr, -skohr; noun uhn-der-skawr, -skohr ]

/ verb ˈʌn dərˌskɔr, -ˌskoʊr, ˌʌn dərˈskɔr, -ˈskoʊr; noun ˈʌn dərˌskɔr, -ˌskoʊr /

to mark with a line or lines underneath; underline, as for emphasis.

to stress; emphasize: The recent tragedy underscores the danger of disregarding safety rules.

a line drawn beneath something written or printed.

music for a film soundtrack; background for a film or stage production.

Origin of underscore

First recorded in 1765–75; under- + score

It also underscored the power of the Internet to spread content and prompt debate.

‘Gangnam Style,’ ‘Call Me Maybe’ & More of 2012’s Best Viral Videos |Ben Teitelbaum |December 31, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
This fact was underscored by the failure of the recent climate talks in Doha to achieve any substantive deal.

A Desperate Need for Electricity in China and Other Developing Countries Is Fueling Global Coal Use |Robert Bryce |December 18, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
The Yugoslavian civil wars only underscored the stability elsewhere on the continent.

Euro Riot Watch |David Frum |April 30, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
Actress Natalie Portman underscored that history when she walked the Oscar red carpet in a vintage Dior gown last month.

Paris Fall 2012 Fashion Week: Are Designers Bashing Women? |Robin Givhan |March 2, 2012 |DAILY BEAST

Speaking at the scene, he underscored that the missing-persons reports had become the main line of inquiry.

Missing Women Give Clues to Dead Body Found on Queen’s Estate |Charlotte Edwardes |January 4, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
Hover the cursor over the underscored text to see the nature of the correction.

Shelley and the Marriage Question |John Todhunter
And he used a much stronger as well as much shorter word than the one underscored; but let it pass.

For Woman's Love |Mrs. E. D. E. N. Southworth
The words as underscored in the original letter by Washington were to emphasize his meaning upon this subject.

Washington's Masonic Correspondence |Julius F. Sachse
Hover the cursor over the underscored text and the original text should be displayed.

A Trip to California in 1853 |Washington Bailey
I have underscored words representative of all the thoughts that especially appeal to me as fitting the needs of my class.

Sunday-School Success |Amos R. Wells

underscore

to draw or score a line or mark under

to stress or reinforce

a line drawn under written matter