expression
UK[ɪkˈsprɛʃn]US[ɪkˈsprɛʃn]
n
The act of making your thoughts, feelings, etc., known by words, actions, or art
n
A word or phrase
n
The look on someone's face that shows what they are thinking or feeling
n
A group of symbols that represent a quantity or a relationship between quantities
Morpheme Breakdown
ex
press
ion
ex
out
press
to press
ion
Etymology
The word 'expression' originates from the Latin verb exprimere, which is a compound of ex- ("out") and premere ("to press"). The literal sense was "to press out," as in pressing out juice or forcing something outward. This concrete action evolved metaphorically in Late Latin to signify the act of representing thoughts or feelings by "pressing them out" into words or visible form. The suffix -ion was added to form a noun describing this process, solidifying its modern abstract meanings related to communication, representation, and manifestation.
Analysis
Structure: ex + press + ion
- ex: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "out".
- press: Latin origin, from the root premere meaning "to press".
- ion: Latin origin, a noun-forming suffix indicating an action, process, or state.
Examples
Her poetry is a beautiful expression of grief.
The phrase "kick the bucket" is an informal expression meaning "to die."
He had a puzzled expression on his face.