Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Expression
Ex-pres′sion
(ĕks-prĕsh′ŭn)
, Noun.
[L.
expressio
: cf. F. expression
.] 1.
The act of expressing; the act of forcing out by pressure;
as, the
; also, of extorting or eliciting; expression
of juices or oilsas, a forcible
. expression
of truth2.
The act of declaring or signifying; declaration; utterance;
as, an
. expression
of the public willWith this tone of philosophy were mingled
expressions
of sympathy. Prescott.
3.
Lively or vivid representation of meaning, sentiment, or feeling, etc.; significant and impressive indication, whether by language, appearance, or gesture; that manner or style which gives life and suggestive force to ideas and sentiments;
as, he reads with
expression
; her performance on the piano has expression
.The imitators of Shakespeare, fixing their attention on his wonderful power of
expression
, have directed their imitation to this. M. Arnold.
4.
That which is expressed by a countenance, a posture, a work of art, etc.; look, as indicative of thought or feeling.
“The expression of an eye.” Tennyson.
It still wore the majesty of
expression
so conspicuous in his portraits by the inimitable pencil of Titian. Prescott.
5.
A form of words in which an idea or sentiment is conveyed; a mode of speech; a phrase;
as, a common
expression
; an odd expression
.Past expression
, Beyond expression
beyond the power of description.
“Beyond expression bright.” Milton.
Webster 1828 Edition
Expression
EXPRES'SION
,Noun.
1.
The act of uttering, declaring or representing; utterance; declaration; representation; as an expression of the public will.2.
A phrase, or mode of speech; as an old expression; an odd expression.3.
In rhetoric, elocution; diction; the peculiar manner of utterance, suited to the subject and sentiment.No adequate description can be given of the nameless and ever varying shades of expression which real pathos gives to the voice.
4.
In painting, a natural and lively representation of the subject; as the expression of the eye, of the countenance, or of a particular action or passion.5.
In music, the tone, grace or modulation of voice or sound suited to any particular subject; that manner which gives life and reality to ideas and sentiments.6.
Theatrical expression, is a distinct, sonorous and pleasing pronunciation, accompanied with action suited to the subject.Definition 2024
expression
expression
English
Noun
expression (plural expressions)
- A particular way of phrasing an idea.
- A colloquialism or idiom.
- The expression "break a leg!" should not be taken literally.
- A facial appearance usually associated with an emotion.
- 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 9, in The China Governess:
- Eustace gaped at him in amazement. When his urbanity dropped away from him, as now, he had an innocence of expression which was almost infantile. It was as if the world had never touched him at all.
- They stared at the newcomer with a puzzled expression.
- The best poker players can tell if the opponents have a good hand by looking at their expression.
- Her expression changed from joy to misery after realising her winning lottery ticket had expired.
-
- (mathematics) An arrangement of symbols denoting values, operations performed on them, and grouping symbols.
- (biology) The process of translating a gene into a protein.
- (programming) A piece of code in a high-level language that returns a value.
- Of a mother, the process of expressing milk.
- A specific blend of whisky.
Hyponyms
Hyponyms of "expression"
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Derived terms
Terms derived from expression
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Related terms
- expression pedal
Translations
particular way of phrasing an idea
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colloquialism or idiom
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facial appearance
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mathematics: arrangement of symbols
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process of translating a gene into a protein
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(computing) a piece of code in a high-level language that returns a value
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Statistics
Most common English words before 1923: bright · scarcely · Paris · #733: expression · Duke · battle · bound
French
Etymology
From Middle French expression, a borrowing from Latin expressiō, expressiōnem (“a pressing out”).
Pronunciation
Noun
expression f (plural expressions)
Related terms
Interlingua
Etymology
From Latin expressiō, expressiōnem (“a pressing out”).
Noun
expression (plural expressiones)
Norman
Etymology
Borrowing from Latin expressiō, expressiōnem (“a pressing out”).
Noun
expression f (plural expressions)