transitive verb
- to press out or squeeze out (juice, etc.)
- to get by pressure; elicit by force; extort
- to put into words; represent by language; state
- to make known; reveal; show: his face expressed sorrow
- to show (a genetic trait)
- to picture, represent, or symbolize in music, art, etc.
- to show by sign; symbolize; signify: the sign + expresses addition
- ☆ to send by express
Origin:
ME expressen < ML expressare < L expressus, pp. of exprimere, to express, lit., force out < ex-, out + premere: see press
adjective
- expressed and not implied; explicit: to give express orders
- specific: his express reason for going
- exact: she is the express image of her aunt
- made for or suited to a special purpose: express regulations
Origin:
orig., for the express purpose of running to one station
fast, direct, and making few stops: an express train- characterized by speed or velocity; specif.,
- for fast driving: an express highway
- high-speed: an express bullet
- for high-speed projectiles: an express rifle
- having to do with railway express, pony express, etc.
Origin:
ME & OFr expres < L expressus