Ex*pres"sion (&ebreve;ks*pr&ebreve;sh"ŭn),
n. [L. expressio: cf. F. expression.]
1. The act of expressing; the act of forcing out
by pressure; as, the expression of juices or oils; also, of
extorting or eliciting; as, a forcible expression of
truth.
2. The act of declaring or signifying;
declaration; utterance; as, an expression of the public
will.
With 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.
6. (Math.) The representation of any
quantity by its appropriate characters or signs.
Past expression, Beyond
expression, beyond the power of description.
"Beyond expression bright." Milton.
