lip curl

American  

[lip kurl] / ˈlɪp ˌkɜrl /

Or lip-curl

noun

1. Animal Behavior.

   1. in dogs, a lifting of the upper lip as a warning, either to humans or to other animals.

      In dog language, that lip curl is actually a peaceable signal—the dog is hoping the other dog understands that it wants to be left alone.

   2. Also lip curling in deer and other artiodactyls, horses, and felines, an upward curling of the upper lip to aid the sense of smell by increasing the flow of air through the nostrils and exposing the auxiliary olfactory organs: a characteristic component of the flehmen response and sometimes also a sign of pain or symptom of disease.

2. in humans, an arching of one side of the upper lip, expressing either scorn or sexual interest.

   She could not speak of defectors and informers without a lip curl.

   He does a great Elvis impression—tantalizing lip curl and all.

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Etymology

Origin of lip curl

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

But I could see the president's chief of staff's lip curl.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2022

Hutchence looks intense and focused as he sings the opening verse, which culminates with his Elvis Presley-like lip curl and snarl on the line "Never tear us apart . . ."

From Salon • Jan. 21, 2020

Brady, 40, let his lip curl into a semi-smile and searched in the vicinity from where it had been tossed.

From New York Times • Feb. 5, 2018

Mars then showed off a very respectable Elvis lip curl, followed by a impromptu performance of “Jailhouse Rock.”

From Seattle Times • Dec. 14, 2016

It makes his lower lip curl out a bit, so I can see the very top of his skin tattoo.

From "Please Ignore Vera Dietz" by A.S. King