Sweet courses about to be emphasised (8)
I believe the answer is:
stressed
'be emphasised' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'sweet courses about' is the wordplay.
'sweet courses' becomes 'desserts' (I've seen this before).
'about' says the letters should be written backwards.
'desserts' in reverse letter order is 'STRESSED'.
'to' is the link.
(Other definitions for stressed that I've seen before include "on edge" , "Hassled, under pressure" , "Tense; highlighted" , "Suffering from physical or emotional strain" , "overwrought" .)