italic

 
Pronunciation: /ɪˈtalɪk/

adjective

  • of the sloping kind of typeface used especially for emphasis or distinction and in foreign words.
  • (of handwriting) modelled on 16th-century Italian handwriting, typically cursive and sloping and with elliptical or pointed letters.

noun

  • (also italics) [mass noun] an italic typeface or letter: the key words are in italics

Origin:

late Middle English (in the general sense 'Italian'): via Latin from Greek Italikos, from Italia 'Italy'. Senses relating to writing date from the early 17th century