Embolden

I discovered today that it is totally valid to use "embolden" in the sense of making text bold. So says the Dictionary in OS X, which draws from the Oxford English Dictionary.

Em*bold"en (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Emboldened (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Emboldening (?).]

To give boldness or courage to; to encourage.

Shak.

The self-conceit which emboldened him to undertake this dangerous office. Sir W. Scott.

© Webster 1913.