Main Entry:

⁴express

Function:

transitive verb

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French espresser, from expres, adjective

Date:

14th century

1 a: delineate, depict b: to represent in words : state c: to give or convey a true impression of : show, reflect d: to make known the opinions or feelings of (oneself) e: to give expression to the artistic or creative impulses or abilities of (oneself) f: to represent by a sign or symbol : symbolize2 a: to force out (as the juice of a fruit) by pressure b: to subject to pressure so as to extract something3: to send by express4: to cause (a gene) to manifest its effects in the phenotype ; also : to manifest or produce (a character, molecule, or effect) by a genetic process

— ex·press·er noun

— ex·press·ible \-ə-bəl\ adjective

synonyms express, vent, utter, voice, broach, air mean to make known what one thinks or feels. express suggests an impulse to reveal in words, gestures, actions, or what one creates or produces <expressed her feelings in music>. vent stresses a strong inner compulsion to express especially in words <a tirade venting his frustration>. utter implies the use of the voice not necessarily in articulate speech <utter a groan>. voice does not necessarily imply vocal utterance but does imply expression or formulation in words <an editorial voicing their concerns>. broach adds the implication of disclosing for the first time something long thought over or reserved for a suitable occasion <broached the subject of a divorce>. air implies an exposing or parading of one's views often in order to gain relief or sympathy or attention <publicly airing their differences>.