I. ikˈspres, ek- sometimes ˈekˌs- adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French expres, espres, from Latin expressus, past participle of exprimere to express, press out, from ex- ex- (I) + -primere (from premere to press) — more at press
1.
a. : directly and distinctly stated or expressed rather than implied or left to inference : not dubious or ambiguous : definite , clear , explicit , unmistakable
with the express injunction that I was to show them to no one — Anita Pollitzer
with the express provision that they remain away from the coast settlement — Mabel R. Gillis
b. : exactly represented : exact , precise
he was the express image of his father
c. obsolete
(1) : outspoken
(2) : steadfast , unwavering
2.
a. : specially designed or chosen for its purpose : adapted to its purpose
what a piece of work is man! … in form and moving how express and admirable! — Shakespeare
b. : of a particular or special sort : specific
he came for that express purpose
3.
a. : dispatched with or traveling at special or high speed ; specifically : traveling between terminal or specified points without stop or with a limited number of stops
an express train
an express bus
an express elevator
— compare local
b. : adapted or suitable for or characterized by travel at special or high speed
an express highway
also : specially fast
traveling at express speed
c. Britain : delivered or to be delivered without delay by special messenger
express letter
express mail
also : performing or paying for such service
express messenger
express charges
4. : designed for an express rifle — used of a cartridge, load, or bullet
Synonyms: see explicit
II. adverb
Etymology: Middle English expres, from expres, express adjective
1. obsolete : expressly
2.
[ express (IV) ]
: by express
send a package express
III. verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Middle English expressen, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French expresser, espresser, from Old French, from expres, espres, adjective, from Latin expressus, past participle of exprimere to express
transitive verb
1.
a. : to make or offer a representation of : show by a copy or likeness : delineate , depict
among the striking patterns in modern printed textiles were seen many geometrical and abstract designs gracefully expressed — Americana Annual
b.
(1) : to represent in words : state , utter
express an opinion
express his views
(2) : to give expression to (an emotion or feeling)
when I expressed disgust he and others laughed — David Livingstone
her countenance expressed both shame and defiance
c. : to give or convey a true impression of : display fully or exactly : show , signify , exhibit , reflect , embody
all these thrusting, driving words became the slogans which expressed the folk ideals — W.P.Webb
its proud edifices express material riches so overwhelming as to transcend materialism — Gerald Sykes
no words can express the grandeur of that scene
in Constantinople was expressed all the life and culture of the Byzantine Empire — W.G.East
d. obsolete : to give a full and explicit statement of : recount , describe , designate , signify
e.
(1) : to make known the opinions or feeling of (oneself) : declare what is in the mind of (oneself)
express himself very strongly on that subject
asked the members of the panel to express themselves freely
(2) : to give expression to the artistic or creative impulses or abilities of (oneself)
in one of our modern schools, where the little darlings are supposed to express themselves — H.W.Van Loon
f. : to represent by a sign or symbol : symbolize
the sign = expresses equality
2.
a. : to force out by pressure : press or squeeze out (as the juice of a fruit)
estimated that the daily water requirements of one person could be expressed from six to seven pounds of fish — N.B.Marshall
b. : to empty by pressure or squeezing : subject to pressure so as to extract something
the seeds … are expressed to yield the neutral liquid fat — C.H.Thienes
3.
[ express (IV) ]
: to send by express messenger : transport by express service
express a package
intransitive verb
[ express (IV) ]
: to travel by express train
Synonyms:
vent , utter , voice , broach , air , ventilate : these can mean, in common, to give some form to in letting out (usually what one feels or thinks). express , the most general and comprehensive, can mean merely to say or put into words, but more generally implies any degree of more comprehensive revelation involving thoughts, feelings, moods, attributes, or qualities and a putting into any form that reveals, as words, gestures, bodily positions or facial aspects, arrangements of line, mass, or color (in painting), variations of tone, tempo, rhythm in the playing of notes, phrases, or harmonic progressions (in music), or the like
express one's views
express agreement
to be an artist means … to express emotion — C.W.H.Johnson
express surprise and anger
music expressing repose and serenity
a novel expressing character
vent implies some inner compulsion to express or let out as with a pent-up emotion or powerful passion that demands an outlet or cannot be controlled
vent a grievance
vent one's spleen against an enemy
compensate for a lifetime of frustration by venting their aggressive drives against an acceptable villain — Walter Goodman
utter stresses the use of the voice though not necessarily speech, generally implying a short, usually significant, often carefully formulated expression
utter a grunt
the ruler who uttered the divine command — B.N.Cardozo
he uttered a spell — J.G.Frazer
utter platitudes
utter a dictum
his impetuosity and eagerness to utter what was in him — H.O.Taylor
voice suggests expression or formulation in words though not necessarily in vocal utterance
voice an opinion
voice resentment
poetry voicing one's yearnings and frustrations
broach stresses mention for the first time, especially of something long thought over and usually awaiting an opportune moment for disclosure
the idea of religious radio broadcasts was first broached in 1923 — Current Biography
I broached, as a practical measure, in my plan of organization, the system which I had discussed tentatively — A.D.White
broach a touchy subject with care
air implies exposure, often a parading of one's views, sometimes a much needed expressing of them as a form of relief or in the hope of gaining attention or, occas., to gain sympathy
air one's views
air grievances
ventilate implies a thorough scrutiny by bringing to light or exposing all phases or aspects of a matter, usually suggesting a desire to get at the truth by discovering the real issues or by a careful weighing of pros and cons
persuading their legislative representatives to ventilate the question in Parliament — S.O.Eklund
discussion programs of this kind, whose aim is to ventilate economic problems — William Salter
IV. noun
( -es )
Etymology: express (I)
1.
a. Britain : a messenger sent on a special errand
b. Britain : a dispatch conveyed by a special messenger
c.
(1) : an intercity and international system for the prompt and safe transportation of parcels, money, or goods with pickup and delivery service and at rates higher than standard freight charges — compare freight
(2) : a company operating a merchandise freight service
(3) : the goods or shipments transported by express
d. or express delivery Britain : delivery of express mail : special delivery
2.
[ express (III) ]
obsolete : expression , manifestation ; especially : a verbal manifestation : utterance , declaration , injunction
3. : express train
V. transitive verb
: to cause (a gene) to manifest its effects in the phenotype
a gene selectively expressed in lung tumors
also : to manifest or produce (a character, molecule, or effect) by a genetic process
only a proportion of individuals with the gene express symptoms of the disease
isolation of differentially expressed proteins