Showed the way with emphasis (7)
I believe the answer is:
pointed
'showed' is the definition.
('point' can be a synonym of 'show')
I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for pointed that I've seen before include "Of remark, direct and cutting" , "Barbs" , "With a tapered tip" , "sharpish" , "Aculeate" .)