express
[ik-spres]
- to put (thought) into words; utter or state: to express an idea clearly.
- to show, manifest, or reveal: to express one's anger.
- to set forth the opinions, feelings, etc., of (oneself), as in speaking, writing, or painting: He can express himself eloquently.
- to represent by a symbol, character, figure, or formula: to express water as H2O; to express unknown quantities algebraically.
- to send by express: to express a package or merchandise.
- to press or squeeze out: to express the juice of grapes.
- to exude or emit (a liquid, odor, etc.), as if under pressure: The roses expressed a sweet perfume.
- Genetics. (of a gene) to be active in the production of (a protein or a phenotype).
- clearly indicated; distinctly stated; definite; explicit; plain: He defied my express command.
- special; definite: We have an express purpose in being here.
- direct or fast, especially making few or no intermediate stops: an express train; an express elevator.
- used for direct or high-speed travel: an express highway.
- duly or exactly formed or represented: an express image.
- pertaining to an express: an express agency.
- an express train, bus, elevator, etc.
- a system or method of sending freight, parcels, money, etc., that is faster and safer, but more expensive, than ordinary freight service: We agree to send the package by express.
- a company engaged in this business.
- British. a messenger or a message specially sent.
- something sent by express.
- by express: to travel express.
- Obsolete. expressly.
Origin of express
Synonyms
See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com1. declare, word, formulate. 2. indicate. 4. designate, signify, denote. 9. obvious, unambiguous. 10. particular, singular. 11. swift, rapid, nonstop. 13. accurate, precise. 16. courier.
Antonyms
2. conceal.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for expressing
Contemporary Examples
No one, of course, was “repressing” Klaus or preventing him from “expressing his views,” something he does with abandon.
Vaclav Klaus, Libertarian Hero, Has His Wings Clipped by Cato InstituteJames Kirchick
December 22, 2014
New York City at the time, according to McBride, attracts men and women who are exploring and expressing their sexual difference.
He always wants to find little flourishes in her wardrobe that are her way of expressing herself in a rather conservative world.
He may have done an excellent job of expressing his sympathies in an appropriate and meaningful way.
Reporting it; linking to it; commenting on it; marveling at it; expressing shock and disgust about it.
Historical Examples
In "Lear," Shakespeare was intent on expressing his own disillusion and naked misery.
The Man ShakespeareFrank Harris
Hinde gaped at him, incapable of expressing himself with sufficient force.
The Foolish LoversSt. John G. Ervine
Unused to expressing herself in public, she seemed to be feeling her way.
Tiverton TalesAlice Brown
Is it necessary that I should defend myself for expressing my displeasure?
Little DorritCharles Dickens
She has been expressing her anxiety that you should return in time.
Little DorritCharles Dickens
express
- to transform (ideas) into words; utter; verbalize
- to show or reveal; indicatetears express grief
- to communicate (emotion, etc) without words, as through music, painting, etc
- to indicate through a symbol, formula, etc
- to force or squeeze outto express the juice from an orange
- to send by rapid transport or special messenger
- express oneself to communicate one's thoughts or ideas
- clearly indicated or shown; explicitly statedan express wish
- done or planned for a definite reason or goal; particularan express purpose
- of, concerned with, or designed for rapid transportation of people, merchandise, mail, money, etcexpress delivery; an express depot
- a system for sending merchandise, mail, money, etc, rapidly
- merchandise, mail, etc, conveyed by such a system
- mainly US and Canadianan enterprise operating such a system
- Also called: express train a fast train stopping at none or only a few of the intermediate stations between its two termini
- See express rifle
- by means of a special delivery or express deliveryit went express
Word Origin
C14: from Latin expressus, literally: squeezed out, hence, prominent, from exprimere to force out, from ex- 1 + premere to press
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for expressing
express
v.
late 14c., from Old French espresser "press, squeeze out; speak one's mind" (Modern French exprimer), Medieval Latin expressare, frequentative of exprimere "represent, describe," literally "to press out" (source of Italian espresso; the sense evolution here is perhaps via an intermediary sense of something like "clay that takes under pressure takes the form of an image"), from ex- "out" (see ex-) + pressare "to press, push," from Latin premere (see press (v.1)). Related: Expressed; expresses; expressing.
express
adj.
late 14c., from Old French expres, from Latin expressus "clearly presented," past participle of exprimere (see express (v.)). This led to the noun (first attested 1610s) meaning "special messenger." Sense of "business or system for sending money or parcels" is 1794. An express train (1841) originally ran to a certain station.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
express
(ĭk-sprĕs′)
- To press or squeeze out.
- To produce a phenotype. Used of a gene.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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