† expressn.2
/ᵻkˈsprɛs/, /ɛkˈsprɛs/, U.S. /ɪkˈsprɛs/, /ɛkˈsprɛs/ Obsolete.
1.
a. The action of expressing or representing by words, signs, or actions; an instance of this. Const. of.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > expression > [noun]
expressiona1464
expressmenta1513
expressing1530
vent1603
expressure1609
express1644
venting1653
1644 J. Bulwer Chirologia 8 The Hand seems to..vie expresses with the Tongue.
1649 Εἰκων Βασιλικη 94 With expresses of my desires.
1654 R. Boreman Triumph of Faith Ep. Ded. sig. A2 So they might give to the world a cleare Expresse of their gratitude to your Lordship.
1672 J. Howard All Mistaken i. 8 My griefe, alas is far beyond Express.
a1716 R. South Serm. Several Occasions (1744) XI. 156 Allow of no other expresses of our honour to him [sc. God] but distance and amazement.
b. A condition or product in which something is expressed; a manifestation. (Revived by Kingsley with stress ˈexpress, after ˈimpress.)
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > expression > [noun] > an expression
signification1607
expressiona1628
impressa1629
express1644
1644 Psalter of David 364 Making all thy creatures to be expresses of thy power.
1663 J. Spencer Disc. Prodigies (1665) 349 It seems to have been the common maxim..that all afflictions were the expresses of displeasure.
1848 C. Kingsley Saint's Trag. iv. iii. 232 Grace brings no merit When 'tis the express of our own self-will.
2.
a. A mode of speech, phrase; an utterance.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > [noun] > mode of expression > turn of phrase
express1644
expression1646
turn1685
tour1686
façon de parler1804
tournure1815
rephrasing1881
1644 P. Hunton Vindic. Treat. Monarchy v. 42 He compares these serious expresses to Trajans sudden and excessive speech.
1647 Bp. J. Taylor Θεολογία Ἐκλεκτική v. 84 I have shewed Scripture in its plain expresses to be an abundant rule of Faith.
a1677 I. Barrow Of Love of God (1680) 154 Surely those expresses are used in condescension to signifie the..charitable benignity of God.
b. A specific mention, statement, or injunction.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > [noun] > a statement or declaration
pretence1440
mentiona1470
profession1526
resolution1594
definitive1595
propound1599
enunciation1628
expression1635
express1646
declarative1651
assert1655
statement1775
enouncementa1856
sayable1957
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica ii. v. §6. 91 This Gentleman..caused a man to goe downe..into the Sea..with expresse to take notice..where it [Coral] groweth.
1660 T. Fuller Mixt Contempl. i. xlii. 67 They had no Expresse in Scripture that they should be freed from the particular miseries relating to this War.
1687 G. Towerson Baptism 343 Some express to signifie such a thing to be its purpose.
1687 J. Norris Coll. Misc. 215 They..contradict the general design and particular expresses of the Gospel.
3.
a. A graphic representation, image; figurative a type, model (of virtues).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > representation in art > [noun] > an artistic representation
ylikenesseOE
likenessOE
anlikenessOE
ylikeOE
imagec1300
acornc1388
portraiturea1393
resemblancea1393
semblanta1400
counterfeitc1400
shapec1400
statuec1405
representation1477
presentationa1513
presentment1535
effigy1539
porture1542
express1553
effigium1564
representance1565
designment1570
icon1572
mimesisa1586
effigies1615
expressurea1616
represent1615
signature1618
proportion1678
representative1766
rendering1825
buggerlugs1839
effigiation1876
society > communication > representation > physical representation of abstraction > symbolizing > symbolizing by a type > [noun] > a type
byseningc1175
samplera1400
image1548
express1553
mapa1591
emblema1631
pantotype1644
model1745
1553 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Eneados xi. vi. 161 This Enee was, first out al expres Of reuwth conmpassioun, and of gentlines.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica v. xx. 262 They discoursed in silence, and were intuitively understood from the theory of their Expresses . View more context for this quotation
1646 J. Gregory Notes & Observ. xi. 50 Some ancient Coynes have beene called by the name of their Expresses, as..(saith Pollux) καὶ ἐκαλεῖτο βοῦς, ὅτι βοὺν εἶχεν ἐμτετυπωμένον, from the figure of an Oxe imprinted.
b. A ‘stamp,’ impressed character.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > intrinsicality or inherence > character or nature > [noun] > imparting character > imparted character
printc1350
imprint1609
express1667
1667 E. Waterhouse Short Narr. Fire London 2 This fatal accident had a more than ordinary express of fury.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online March 2019).
expressadj.adv.n.1
/ᵻkˈsprɛs/, /ɛkˈsprɛs/, U.S. /ɪkˈsprɛs/, /ɛkˈsprɛs/ A. adj.
I. Senses relating to precise depiction and related uses.
1.
a. Of an image or likeness: truly depicted, exactly resembling, exact. Now chiefly with reminiscence of Hebrews 1:3. Cf. express v.1 5.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > imitation > [adjective] > that is a copy > exact or accurate
justc1425
expressa1535
polygraphic1805
spitten1878
autotypic1883
a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 61/1 This is ye fathers own figure..ye plain expresse lykenes of ye noble duke.
1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 2v Thy byrth doth shewe the expresse and liuely Image of gentle bloude.
1611 Bible (King James) Heb. i. 3 The expresse image of his person. View more context for this quotation
1612 T. Taylor Αρχὴν Ἁπάντων: Comm. Epist. Paul to Titus ii. 7 Shew thy selfe a patterne, and expresse type wherein [etc.].
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vii. 528 Hee Created thee, in the Image of God Express . View more context for this quotation
1764 T. Reid Inq. Human Mind i. ii. 69 Language is the express image and picture of human thoughts.
1774 J. Bryant New Syst. II. 431 The Deity is here described sitting..in the express form of the Minotaur.
a1853 F. W. Robertson Serm. (1857) 3rd Ser. x. 125 The universe is the express image and direct counterpart of the souls that dwell in it.
b. Well framed or modelled.Apparently an isolated use.
ΚΠ
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet ii. ii. 307 What peece of worke is a man..in forme and moouing, how expresse and admirable. View more context for this quotation
II. Senses relating to explicit statement or formulation, and hence rapid performance. (Cf. express v.1 6 – 10).† 2. Of a fact, condition, etc.: stated, explicitly recorded. In early use as past participle. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > record > [adjective] > recorded
expressc1386
recorded1577
chronicled1826
c1386 G. Chaucer Wife of Bath's Prol. 719 Lo here expresse of wommen may ye fynde, That woman was the losse of al mankynde.
c1386 G. Chaucer Wife of Bath's Tale 313 Ther shull ye seen expresse..That he is gentil that doth gentil dedis.
1686 J. Goad Astro-meteorologica ii. v. 225 There is not above 30 days but are windy, and rainy, or of express heat [cf. i. xii. 56 We must distinguish of warm Days, Days of Expressed Notation for Warmth or Heat].
3. † b. Hence of persons or an authority: Distinct in making a statement, outspoken, explicit. Of a state of mind: Fixed, free from vacillation. Obsolete.† c. Of a voice: Distinctly uttered. Obsolete.
a. Of a meaning, purpose, stipulation, law, etc.: expressed and not merely implied; definitely formulated; definite, explicit. Of language, statements, indications: definite, unmistakable in import.When used of a law, stipulation, grant, etc., the adjective may have either this sense or sense A. 4, and often appears to have a mixed notion of the two.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > clarity > [adjective] > explicit
expressc1386
enunciative1531
explicate1532
expressed1534
explicit1549
unimplicit1673
explained1685
implicit1727
disimplicated1753
c1386 G. Chaucer Wife of Bath's Prol. 61 Wher can ye seen..That highe God defended mariage By expresse word?
c1425 Wyntoun Cron. ix. xxvii. 151 Agane þe Lauch expres..chosyn wes Ðis Knychtis son.
?1550 J. Bale Apol. agaynste Papyst 117 b Neyther..is ther any expresse doctryne of vowes in all the whole wurke.
1578 T. Nicholas tr. F. Lopez de Gómara Pleasant Hist. Conquest W. India 75 [He] commaundid that none of his men shoulde goe out..without his expresse licence upon paine of death.
1593 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie i. xvi. 94 We haue no expresse purpose to make that our end.
1605 Bp. Morton (title) Exact Discoverie of Romish Doctrine..collected out of the expresse dogmatical principles of Popish Priests and Doctors.
1616 B. Jonson Epigrammes xl, in Wks. I. 779 All the gazers on the skies Read not in faire heauens storie, Expresser truth..Then they might in her bright eyes.
1659 H. Hammond Paraphr. & Annot. Psalms (cxviii. 27 Annot.) 594/1 The insuing verse is express.
1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ iii. iv. §13 We have the express testimony of Epiphanius.
1767 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. (new ed.) II. 443 Express contracts are where the terms of the agreement are openly uttered and avowed at the time of the making.
1850 H. Martineau Hist. Eng. during 30 Years' Peace II. iv. ix. 107 Mr. Stanley's answer was express and clear.
1877 Rep. Comm. Plan for Govt. Cities N.Y. in J. Bryce Amer. Commonw. (1888) II. li. 285 Sometimes by express, more often by a tacit understanding.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > [adjective] > stating explicitly (of persons)
expressa1593
explicita1624
a1593 H. Smith Wks. (1867) II. 425 Theodoret..is most express against transubstantiation.
1665 J. Glanvill Sciri Tuum: Authors Defense 17 in Scepsis Scientifica Trismegistus is express in the assertion of the same Doctrine.
1667 H. More Divine Dialogues (1713) i. iii. 14 I love to feel myself of an express and settled judgment.
1700 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding (new ed.) iv. xix. 428 Where Reason or Scripture is express for any Opinion or Action, we may receive it as of divine Authority.
1704 London Gaz. No. 4037/5 Her Majesty is very express in what She proposes.
1778 N. Laurens in J. Sparks Corr. Amer. Revol. (1853) II. 117 Our Commissioners..are not so express..as they might have been.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > quality of voice > [adjective] > clear
quickc1275
clearc1300
express?c1450
preclare?1553
light1620
precise1846
?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 5667 Þe childe foloude and sayde þan, with' a voyce expresse.
1700 J. Dryden tr. Ovid Twelfth Bk. Metamorphoses in Fables 422 Nor Silence is within, nor Voice express, But a deaf Noise of Sounds that never cease.
d. express malice (Law): malice of which there is actual evidence; opposed to implied malice, that which is inferred merely from the nature of the unlawful act committed. †express witchcraft: ? manifest, open witchcraft.
ΚΠ
1567 in J. G. Dalyell Scotish Poems 16th Cent. (1801) II. 260 O faithles flock!.. Mantenaris of murther, witchcraft expres, Tresoun amang ȝow does daylie incres.
1769 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. IV. xiv. 199 Malice may be either express, or implied in law. Express malice is..when one, with a sedate..deliberate mind and formed design, doth kill another.
1808 Le Blanc in East Rep. IX. 363 Without proof of malice, either express or implied.
e. Specifically designated or considered; special.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > the quality of being specific > [adjective] > going into detail > specially mentioned or indicated
assignedc1374
assignate1471
specified1645
denominated1750
express1848
specialized1893
1848 J. S. Mill Princ. Polit. Econ. iii. xiv. §4 When we treat of that express subject.
1855 A. Bain Senses & Intellect ii. ii. 488 Natural History makes a more express business of the classifying operation.
4.
a. Specially designed or intended for a particular object; done, made, or sent ‘on purpose.’ Of a messenger: Specially dispatched. Also absol. in phrase †in express: ? for a purpose (unless this be an early instance of express n.2).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > intention > [adjective] > performed with intention
bethoughtc1200
expressa1400
wilfula1400
purposedc1422
purpensed1436
malice prepensed1454
aforethought1472
studiedc1475
setc1485
voluntary1495
deliberate?1527
willing1550
witting1553
propensed1560
fore-intendeda1586
affected1586
designed1586
determinate1586
intended1592
deliberated1594
uncasual1614
recollecteda1616
resolved1624
industriousa1628
intentionate1631
pre-intended1636
advised1642
malice prepense1647
sedentary1647
propense1650
consultive1651
(crime, evil, etc.) of forethought1692
conscious1726
intentionala1729
systematic1746
studious1750
systematical1750
prepensive1752
advertent1832
self-conscious1832
volitive1839
designful1852
purposeful1853
purposive1864
thought-controlled1926
a1400 Cov. Myst. 115 Ffarewel, Gabryel..Goddys masangere expresse.
c1420 Pallad. on Husb. ii. 403 Rapes make wele to smelle In condyment is nowe the tyme ex~presse.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xxii. 278 I am sakles Of this bloode..; Both my handys in expres Weshen sall be.
1524 T. Wolsey in State Papers Henry VIII (1849) VI. 317 I receyvid new letters from you, sent by an expresse curror.
1619 Visct. Doncaster Let. in S. R. Gardiner Lett. Relations Eng. & Germany (1865) 1st Ser. 137 Send..with all possible speede by an expresse messenger.
1782 J. Priestley Hist. Corruptions Christianity II. x. 260 Express laws were made to prevent [it].
1845 T. Carlyle in O. Cromwell Lett. & Speeches I. 27 In these two little off-hand bits of writing there is a clear credibility..; and more insight obtainable..than in any of the express Biographies.
1874 J. Morley On Compromise 96 The social union is the express creation..of the Deity.
b. express train. Originally = ‘special train’; but about 1845 applied to a train running ‘expressly’ for the conveyance of passengers to one particular place, and not stopping at the intermediate stations; now, a train running at a high rate of speed, and stopping only at a few important stations. Hence express coach, express speed.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > rail travel > rolling stock > [noun] > train > run in addition to usual services
express train1841
wildcat train1870
society > travel > rail travel > rolling stock > [noun] > train > passenger train > express or non-stop
express train1841
lightning express1844
express1848
limited express1860
rapide1868
limited1869
night express1877
non-stop1909
limited train1913
Blue Train1922
rapido1939
1841 Saunders Rep. Sel. Comm. Railways Q. 2051 It was probable that an express train would come up.
1842 W. F. Cooke Telegr. Railways 19 I will now follow an Express, and therefore unexpected train in its course from Derby to Leicester.
1845 Bradshaw's Rail. Guide May 14 The accommodation by the Express Trains being limited, Passengers who arrive first will have the preference.
1845 C. B. Vignoles in Life (1889) 269 Went down to Birmingham by the ‘express’ train.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Jrnl. 16 Aug. The express train reached Holyhead.
1861 A. S. Billingsley Diary 1 Left Omaha City in Express coach.
1862 E. Johnston Gifts & Graces xii. 127 We must step into an express train.
c. express rifle: a rifle constructed to discharge a bullet with a high initial velocity and a low trajectory. express bullet: an expanding bullet for use with an express rifle. express shooting: shooting with an express rifle.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > device for discharging missiles > firearm > small-arm > [noun] > rifle > types of
three-o(h)-three1683
air rifle1801
yager1817
big bore1838
seventy-five1840
telescopic rifle1850
Minié rifle1851
needle rifle1856
pea rifle1856
Lancaster1857
six-shooting1858
Whitworth1858
Henry1861
polygroove1863
telescopic-sighted rifle1863
spencer1866
magazine rifle1867
Snider rifle1868
chassepot1869
Martini–Henry rifle1869
Winchester1871
Mauser rifle1872
Martini1876
saloon rifle1881
express1884
express rifle1884
Mannlicher1884
Mauser1887
Lee-Enfield1888
Flobert1890
pump gun1890
take-down1895
two-two1895
Ross rifle1901
hammer-rifle1907
sporter1907
French 751914
twenty-two1925
machine-gun rifle1941
assault rifle1950
assault weapon1968
kalashnikov1970
assault rifle1975
1884 Metford in J. H. Walsh Mod. Sportsman's Gun II. 12 This being a sort of ‘rough and tumble’ gauge of Express shooting at 100 yards.
1884 Sir H. Halford in J. H. Walsh Mod. Sportsman's Gun II. 14 These rifles [made by Purdey in 1859] must be considered as the first of the class now known as Express—a term believed to have been first used either by the late Lord Henry Bentinck or by Lord Leconfield.
1888 Pall Mall Gaz. 10 July 7/1 It has been proved that ‘express’ bullets are used by the Zulus or their allies.
d. express delivery: (in the Postal service) immediate delivery by special messenger, on a system introduced in 1891; so express fee, express messenger, express packet, etc. [Here it is difficult to separate the adj. from attributive uses of the n.]
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > correspondence > postal services > [noun] > types of service
printed paper1553
letter post1660
penny post1680
general post1687
parcel post1790
penny postage1798
twopenny post1811
twopenny1818
printed matter1836
parcel delivery1837
bangy1842
book post1848
special delivery1865
V.P.P.1888
express delivery1891
rural free delivery1891
certified mail1955
recorded delivery1960
Mailgram1969
freepost1970
1891 Post Office Guide Oct. 227 There is no Express delivery..on Sunday, Good Friday, or Christmas Day.
1892 Post Office Guide Apr. 17 On the delivery of an Express Packet, the delivering Messenger may take a reply..The Express fee must be prepaid.
1892 Post Office Guide Apr. 18 Letters and Parcels are accepted for conveyance by Express Messenger to the General Post Office.
e. = high-speed adj.; express boiler, a boiler capable of getting steam up with great rapidity; express highway, etc.: see expressway n.; express lift, a lift which does not stop at every floor. Cf. A. 4b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > [adjective] > very
seven-leagued1747
ripping1826
seven-league-booted1828
splitting1829
lightning1832
high-speed1844
double-quick1860
mile-a-minute1883
express1897
jet-propelled1947
supersonic1947
light speed1987
1897 R. Kipling in Scribner's Mag. Aug. 136/2 Express freight's what pays.
1902 Encycl. Brit. XXVI. 285/2 The types, sometimes called ‘Express’ boilers, which are largely used in torpedo-boats,..where the most important requirement is very high power with a very small weight of boiler.
1909 Cent. Dict. Suppl. Express-pump, a high-speed pump; one that makes a high number of strokes per minute.
1909 Westm. Gaz. 9 June 11/4 Six electric passenger lifts, two of which are known as ‘express’ lifts.
1938 E. Bowen Death of Heart i. ix. 160 Matchett is sending Anna's white velvet dress to the express cleaners.
1967 W. Pine Protectors xi. 91 The two men rode up from the basement to the twenty-first floor by express lift.
1971 Daily Tel. 4 Jan. 7/2 Those express lifts (sorry elevators) which serve New York's highest buildings.
B. adv. [Compare expressly adv.] † 1. Clearly, plainly, unmistakably. With verbs of speaking: In distinct terms, positively. Obsolete.† 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > manifestation > manifestness > [adverb]
couthlyc900
sutelichec900
openlyOE
witterlyc1175
kithlya1300
witnessfullyc1374
evidentlya1382
plainlya1382
graithc1394
eberlya1400
express14..
manifest1431
patently1441
manifestlyc1475
evident?1520
grossly1526
apparently1533
clear1550
apparent1565
clearly1569
notoriously1589
plain1590
perspicuously1592
perspectively1598
transparently1617
liquidlya1631
visibly1631
obviously1638
fairly1655
perspiculously1661
remarkably1666
squarely1860
14.. Purif. Mary in Tundale's Vis. 130 To the law sche mekely wold obey From poynt to poynte the gospel seyth expresse.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 1158 Danyel..devysed sum tyme, As..is proued expresse in his profecies.
?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 3389 Þis chapiter it schewes expresse What fandyng he tholed in sekenes.
1556 W. Lauder Compend. Tractate Dewtie of Kyngis sig. B2v Haue ȝe thare herts, I say expresse Than all is ȝours, that thay possesse.
1712 G. Berkeley Passive Obed. §23. 30 Such a Contract is an express known part of the fundamental Constitutions of a Nation.
a. Followed by against: Directly.
ΚΠ
c1386 G. Chaucer Doctor's Tale 182 Virginius..holdeth expresse aȝeinst þe wille of me My seruaunt.
1578 Gude & Godly Ball 158 The Leuittis..reft thair teind and mekill mair, Expres aganis Goddis command.
b. With respect to dimension or number: Exactly.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [adverb] > with respect to size or number
by scorec1325
expressc1475
to a hair's breadtha1616
flat1909
c1475 Partenay 3004 Fiftene fote long this Geaunt was expresse.
a1513 H. Bradshaw Lyfe St. Werburge (1521) i. ii. sig. a.iiiiv Also the yeres of our blessed sauyoure Syxe hundreth foure score and nyne expresse The Brytons were expulsed..From Englande to walles.
c. Completely. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > [adverb]
fullyeOE
allesOE
fullOE
rightc1175
everydealc1300
wholec1300
whollya1325
finelyc1330
fairly1340
completec1374
gainlya1375
clearly1377
freelya1393
plaina1393
entire?a1400
entirelyc1400
oddlyc1400
sufficientlyc1440
expressc1475
totally1509
completely1526
finec1530
exactly?1531
sincerely1576
start1599
fillingly1611
circularly1618
solid1651
out-over1745
rotundly1775
roundedly?1802
whole hog1840
clear-away1883
whole cloth1917
righteous1948
c1475 Partenay 4357 Hys hauberke dismailled all expresse.
1553 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Eneados xiii. ii. 52 To mak end, of our harmes and distres Our paneful laubour, passit is expres.
3. in combination.1870 R. W. Emerson Society & Solitude xi. 265 No expressrider, no attorney, no magistrate.
a. Specially, on purpose, for a particular end; hence (to go, send, etc.) with speed. In modern use also, by express messenger or train.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > intention > [adverb] > for a or the particular purpose
for the noncec1175
speciallyc1325
express1386
purposelyc1520
expresslya1616
for the very nonce1627
ad hoc1639
of the nonce1665
on the very nonce1665
determinately1862
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > [adverb]
yeverlyeOE
cofeOE
snellya1000
whatlichea1000
swiftlyc1000
yernea1023
skeetc1175
swithc1175
whatec1175
lightly?c1225
tidelyc1225
fastlyc1275
swithc1275
fastc1300
quickc1300
titec1300
quicklya1325
rada1325
snellc1330
titelyc1330
swithly?1370
hastlya1375
ketlya1375
ketec1380
speedlyc1380
speedfully1398
keenlya1400
skeetlya1400
speedilya1400
swiftc1400
yederlyc1400
apacea1423
rasha1475
runninglyc1475
speedful?c1480
rackly?a1500
rashly1533
stiffly1535
roundly1548
post1549
fleet1587
fleetly1598
speedy1601
raptly1646
fastisha1650
wingedly1651
rapidly1653
rapid1677
velociously1680
express1765
quicklike1782
spankingly1803
spankily1842
fleetingly1883
quick-foot1891
on the quick-foot1894
zippily1924
1386 G. Chaucer Doctor's Tale 105 This mayde, of which I telle my tale expresse.
1667 S. Pepys Diary 13 June (1974) VIII. 263 I sent Mr. Clapham express thither to see how matters go.
1708 London Gaz. No. 4490/3 M. Osten..came Express..to make his Compliments to his Prussian Majesty.
1765 T. Hutchinson Hist. Colony Massachusets-Bay, 1628–91 (ed. 2) iii. 398 A small vessel had been sent to England express..with a representation of the exposed state of the colony.
1844 B. Disraeli Coningsby II. iv. ix. 100 As if the grand furniture and the grand servants had all come down express from town.
1870 J. R. Lowell My Study Windows 2 A piece of news worth sending express.
b. Without a stop.
ΚΠ
1892 Harper's Mag. Feb. 426/1 The managers of certain tall buildings now arrange them [sc. elevators] so that some run ‘express’ to the seventh story.
C. n.1
1.
a. = express messenger at sense A. 4d. Now Historical or archaic except in sense of an express messenger of the Postal Department.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > message > [noun] > messenger > running or express messenger
couriera1382
scarceler14..
cursor1566
pattamar1598
cursitora1604
express1619
cossid1682
tappal-wallah1865
1619 Visct. Doncaster Let. in S. R. Gardiner Lett. Relations Eng. & Germany (1865) 1st Ser. 177 I will spedily advertise his Maty by an expresse.
1680 London Gaz. No. 1536/4 An Express is arrived in 14 days from Madrid, but we know not what he brings.
1780 R. R. Livingston in J. Sparks Corr. Amer. Revol. (1853) III. 2 This hasty letter is written while the express waits.
1816 M. Keating Trav. Eur. & Afr. I. 34 Faster than an express could travel: at least in these regions.
1856 R. W. Emerson Eng. Traits xv. 150 Its expresses outrun the despatches of the government.
1891 Daily News 4 Apr. 6/7 We expect the Post Office to convey the necessary orders—either by post, by telegraph, by telephone, or by ‘express.’
b. transferred. The message sent by an ‘express’; a dispatch.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > message > [noun] > specially dispatched or urgent
express1642
scream1929
1642 H. Parker (title) Observations upon some of his Majestie's [Charles I.] late Answers and Expresses.
1659 J. Pearson Expos. Creed (1839) 282 By an express written to Tiberius, and by him presented to the senate.
1676 J. Dryden Aureng-Zebe i. 2 A new Express all Agra does afright.
1741 C. Middleton Hist. Life Cicero I. v. 356 Cicero..received two expresses from his Brother Quintus.
1807 Beverley & Kexby Road Act 6 Conveying the mails of letters and expresses under the authority of His Majesty's Post-Master General.
18.. Wellington in Daily News 20 Nov. (1891) 5/1 Blucher picked the fattest man in his army to ride with an express home.
1854 C. Dickens Hard Times ii. ix. 231 Bitzer had come..with an express from Stone Lodge.
c. ? A special errand.
ΚΠ
c1817 J. Hogg Tales & Sketches III. 215 Tam's wife had occasion to cross the wild heights on some express.
2. Short for
a. express train at sense A. 4b.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > rail travel > rolling stock > [noun] > train > passenger train > express or non-stop
express train1841
lightning express1844
express1848
limited express1860
rapide1868
limited1869
night express1877
non-stop1909
limited train1913
Blue Train1922
rapido1939
1848 C. Dickens Dombey & Son lv. 552 Express comes through at four, Sir.
1869 A. Trollope He knew he was Right I. xxiii. 178 [He] went down..by the early express to Exeter.
b. express rifle at sense A. 4c.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > device for discharging missiles > firearm > small-arm > [noun] > rifle > types of
three-o(h)-three1683
air rifle1801
yager1817
big bore1838
seventy-five1840
telescopic rifle1850
Minié rifle1851
needle rifle1856
pea rifle1856
Lancaster1857
six-shooting1858
Whitworth1858
Henry1861
polygroove1863
telescopic-sighted rifle1863
spencer1866
magazine rifle1867
Snider rifle1868
chassepot1869
Martini–Henry rifle1869
Winchester1871
Mauser rifle1872
Martini1876
saloon rifle1881
express1884
express rifle1884
Mannlicher1884
Mauser1887
Lee-Enfield1888
Flobert1890
pump gun1890
take-down1895
two-two1895
Ross rifle1901
hammer-rifle1907
sporter1907
French 751914
twenty-two1925
machine-gun rifle1941
assault rifle1950
assault weapon1968
kalashnikov1970
assault rifle1975
1884 Pall Mall Gaz. 19 Aug. 5/1 A wealthy ‘potter’..blazed away with a double express at the deer compelled to pass him.
1888 H. R. Haggard Maiwa's Revenge 127 I, handing him the carbine, took from him my express.
3.
a. Chiefly U.S. An institution (conducted by private enterprise) for the transmission of parcels, etc. Also, goods or other articles conveyed by this method. Cf. A. 4d and pony express n. at pony n.1 and adj. Compounds 2a.The carrying of goods by ‘express,’ first introduced in 1839 (see quot. 1858 for express business n. at Compounds) has had an enormous development in the United States. In Great Britain the system exists, but the name is little used, though it has been adopted in the names of one or two of the ‘forwarding agencies,’ as they are usually called.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance in a vehicle > transport of goods in a vehicle > [noun] > agency or institution
dispatch1694
express1794
1794 D. M'Gillivray Jrnl. (1929) 40 No goods are sent him by this express.
1794 D. M'Gillivray Jrnl. (1929) 40 We expect an express from him very soon.
1794 D. M'Gillivray Jrnl. (1929) 40 The Canoe containing the express.
1839 Boston Transcript 21 Mar. 2/2 Harnden's Express, between Boston and New York, has been running since the 4th of March.
1840 Boston Daily Advertiser 7 Feb. 4/3 Mr. Harnden will for the present send his Express via Worcester.
1844 D. Lee & J. H. Frost Ten Years in Oregon xix. 214 The Hudson Bay Company's Express..is a communication by which despatches are sent annually from Vancouver to Canada.
1848 Congr. Globe 23 June 870/1 The present arrangement was diverting [public money] into the pockets of private expresses.
186. Postage Stamp Inscr. Pony Express.
1863 Stamped Envelope Inscr. Paid, Wells, Fargo, & Co. Through our California and Atlantic Express.
b. The goods carried by an ‘express’.
ΚΠ
1858 I. S. Homans & I. S. Homans Cycl. Commerce & Commerc. Navigation 644 Harnden himself acted in that capacity [as ‘messenger’] carrying his entire express in an ordinary valise.
Compounds
(In sense C. 3a.)
express agent n.
ΚΠ
1870 Trans. Illinois State Agric. Soc. 1867–8 7 522 They can be handled as roughly, almost, as these express agents handle boxes.
1873 Trans. Dept. Agric. State Illinois 1872 10 247 That is, for the railroads to take charge of all the goods that consignor does not desire to be delivered by the express agents.
1891 E. S. Ellis Check No. 2134 i. 5 On the first run made by Arthur Helmuth, in place of the regular express agent and baggage master.
1910 J. Hart Vigilante Girl xxvii. 376 This was the room of the man who filled the manifold offices of station-master, ticket-agent, express-agent.
express business n.
ΚΠ
1858 I. S. Homans & I. S. Homans Cycl. Commerce & Commerc. Navigation 644 at Express William F. Harnden..started the express business in the spring of 1839.
express car n.
ΚΠ
1839 Boston Transcript 27 Feb. 4/1 Boston and New York Express Car.
1871 S. de Vere Americanisms (1872) 357 Next to the locomotive comes another feature peculiar to American trains—the express-car.
1879 F. R. Stockton Rudder Grange vii. 76 My package was wheeled to the express-car.
express cart n.
ΚΠ
1882 W. D. Hay Brighter Britain! I. ii. 32 Omnibuses..express-carts, waggons.
1922 O. Jespersen Lang. v. 108 Hilary M...called an express-cart a press-cart.
express clerk n.
ΚΠ
1880 Daily News 20 Nov. 5/4 An express clerk walks through the train, takes the checks of passengers who want their baggage delivered, and gives written receipts for them.
express company n.
ΚΠ
1858 I. S. Homans & I. S. Homans Cycl. Commerce & Commerc. Navigation 645 The express companies..transmit nearly all the specie and bullion, etc.
express man n.
ΚΠ
1839 Knickerbocker Mag. 13 24 Means for defraying the expenses of express-men.
express office n.
ΚΠ
1860 J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms (ed. 3) Express Office, an establishment which rapidly transmits parcels and goods.
express waggon n.
ΚΠ
1860 J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms Express Wagon, the wagon in which packages, boxes, etc., are taken to and from an express office.
1862 C. R. Thatcher Dunedin Songster No. 1. 9 There was a little express waggon waiting to convey these Melbourne notables to Dunedin.
1869 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast & Twenty-four Years After 380 The dock..and the streets..were densely crowded with express-wagons and hand-carts to take luggage.
Derivatives
exˈpressage n. the sending of a parcel by express; the charge or cost of this.
ΚΠ
1857 C. E. De Long Jrnl. 12 May in Calif. Hist. Soc. Q. (1930) IX. 143 Paid Farley $5 for expressage.
1864 Webster's Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. Expressage, the charge for carrying a parcel by express.
1883 Amer. Newspaper Advt. The books will be sent by express C.O.D., the receiver paying expressage or freight.
1888 Harper's Mag. Dec. 161/1 The expressage or postage has not been prepaid.
1936 M. H. Bradley Five-minute Girl x. 197 The expressage will entail some expense.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
expressv.1
/ᵻkˈsprɛs/, /ɛkˈsprɛs/, U.S. /ɪkˈsprɛs/, /ɛkˈsprɛs/ I. To press out.† 4. To press hard (in battle). Obsolete. rare.
1.
a. transitive. To press, squeeze, or wring out; to press (juice, air, etc.) from, out of (anything). spec. to press or squeeze out (milk or other secretion) from the breast.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > pressing, pressure, or squeezing > press or squeeze [verb (transitive)] > twist, wring, or squeeze out
twistc1374
press1381
expressc1400
outwringc1430
to wring upc1440
queasea1450
dow1481
strain1483
squash1599
crush1602
squeeze1602
squeeze1611
out-scruze1626
compel1657
c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. (MS A.) 127 & þei fulfillen þe wounde..as I have seid, with þe clooþ expressid of þe white of an ey.
1430 J. Lydgate tr. Hist. Troy i. vi When men of malice..his venym vtterly expresse.
1569 R. Androse tr. ‘Alessio’ 4th Bk. Secretes ii. 37 Put them all into an Orenge..and boyle them in hote embers: then expresse it.
1594 H. Plat Diuers Chimicall Concl. Distillation 16 in Jewell House Expresse their oile according to the manner herafter set down.
1638 T. Whitaker Blood of Grape 18 Newly exprest from the grape.
1757 A. Cooper Compl. Distiller iii. lii. 226 Express the Juice and Spirit.
1804 J. Abernethy Surg. Observ. 94 To puncture the upper tumour, to express the contents.
1880 Daily News 26 Feb. 5/2 The oil or oleomargarine is expressed from the fat.
1932 R. C. Jewesbury Mothercraft iii. 37 Milk can be expressed manually, but this often causes pain.
1953 G. B. Carter & G. H. Dodds Dict. Midwifery 82/1 The patient should be taught how to express secretion from the nipple so that the milk may be able to flow freely later on.
1955 B. Spock Baby & Child Care (U.K. new ed.) 33 If you can learn the knack of expressing a little milk at the same time, it will lure him on.
b. figurative. (a) To extort or elicit by pressure. †(b) To expel, get rid of, by force (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > obedience > compulsion > compel [verb (transitive)] > draw out or gain by compulsion or force
wringc1444
throwa1500
extort?1545
express1547
wrest1565
evict1567
extract1599
squeeze1602
screw1622
evince1631
grind1790
force1817
slug1974
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > letting or sending out > let or send out [verb (transitive)] > expel > specific immaterial things
wrench?c1225
outrage?a1439
express1547
expectorate1621
devolve1654
(a)
(b)1567 A. Golding in tr. Ovid Metamorphosis (new ed.) Ep. Ded. sig. a.ivv Temperance which dooth all fowle concupisence expresse [1565 represse].1587 F. Thynne Ann. Scotl. 442/1 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) II [King James VI] That..the veritie may be tried, and all heresie and schisme..expressed.1547 J. Harrison Exhort. Scottes 232 Youre countrey weepinge to you with bloody teares, which your selfes do expresse, and wring out of her, and enforce her to shed.
1609 P. Holland tr. Ammianus Marcellinus Rom. Hist. xxix. iv. 365 The truth was by torture expressed.
1612 J. Webster White Divel i. i Perfumes..chaf'd..render Their pleasing scents; and so affliction Expresseth virtue fully.
1818 H. Hallam View Europe Middle Ages I. ii. 166 To employ them [Jews] as a spunge to suck their subjects' money, which they might afterwards express.
2. To emit or exude, as if by pressure.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > letting or sending out > let or send out [verb (transitive)] > emit > as if by pressure
express1621
1621 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy i. i. ii. ii. 21 Spirit, is a most subtile vapor, which is expressed from the Blood.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 46 Ormus is an Ile..of which..the Siluer-shining Sand expresseth Sulpher.
1657 S. Purchas Theatre Flying-insects 158 Waxe..expressing in some sort a scent of honie.
1854 W. M. Thackeray Newcomes I. xi. 110 Essences..into which a thousand flowers have expressed their sweetest breath.
1882 Pall Mall Gaz. 28 June 5/1 Their honey-dew, which the aphides express when caressed by the antennæ of their masters.
3. To press or squeeze out the contents of. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > pressing, pressure, or squeezing > press or squeeze [verb (transitive)] > twist, wring, or squeeze out > express the contents of
express1633
to squeeze out (or forth)1660
1633 Bp. J. Hall Plaine Explic. Hard Texts i. 289 To expresse, and make use of that sweet fruit.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica iv. vii. 197 A bladder blowne is weightier then one empty, and if it containe a quart, expressed and emptied it will abate about halfe a graine. View more context for this quotation
1725 R. Bradley Chomel's Dictionaire Œconomique at Nutmeg Heat the Nutmegs in a Kettle, and then to express them strongly.
1882 Med. Temp. Jrnl. 51 141 After the grapes have been expressed.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > attack > attack [verb (transitive)] > harass or press hard
forcec1330
pressc1450
express1490
gall1548
harass1622
1490 Caxton's Blanchardyn & Eglantine (1962) 152 Seeng herself so sore expressyd, her knyghtes and her men slayne.
II. To portray, represent.† 9. † b. To give an account of, describe. Obsolete.† c. To state or describe (an object) as, or to be (so and so). Also with for. Obsolete.† d. To designate, mention by a certain title.† e. intransitive. To make mention, give an account of. Obsolete.
5. † b. To be an image or likeness of; to resemble [After Latin exprimere] . Obsolete.
a. To represent by sculpture, drawing, or painting; to portray, delineate, depict. In general sense obsolete or archaic; but surviving as a transferred use of sense 8: To render, set forth, convey a notion of (facts, characteristics, details) by plastic or graphic representation.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > representation in art > represent in art [verb (transitive)]
workOE
shapea1375
express1382
marka1393
resemblea1393
portraya1398
devisea1400
makea1400
represent?a1425
counterfeitc1440
to set on write1486
porturea1500
emporturea1529
story1532
portrait1548
show1565
decipher1567
portraiture1581
to set forth1585
emblazea1592
stell1598
defigure1599
infigure1606
effigiate1608
deportract1611
deportray1611
rendera1616
image1624
configure1630
exiconize1641
effigies1652
to take off1680
mimic1770
paraphrase1961
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Ezek. xxiii. 14 The ymagis of Caldeis expressid..in colours.
1588 A. Fraunce Lawiers Logike i. i. f. 2v That paynter is most cunning who can most lively expresse his face whose counterfaite he is to drawe.
1611 T. Coryate Crudities sig. Z5 Whereof [sc. Amphitheatre at Verona] I haue expressed a picture in this place.
1633 A. Munday et al. Stow's Surv. of London (new ed.) 505/1 In every part of this Tombe, are all the Sonnes and Daughters of this King expressed in solid Brasse.
1782 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting (ed. 3) V. 155 Loggan used long strokes in expressing flesh.
1839 R. I. Murchison Silurian Syst. i. xx. 265 Quarried down below the ordinary surface of the adjacent ground, as rudely expressed in this woodcut.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > render similar to [verb (transitive)] > be like, resemble, or take after
to bear a resemblance toa1225
semblec1330
resemble1340
to look likec1390
representa1398
belikec1475
assemble1483
express1483
to take after ——1553
figure1567
assimilate1578
besib1596
imitate1601
resemblance1603
respect1604
favour1609
image1726
mirror1820
facsimile1839
turn after ——1848
picture1850
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 45/1 His handes expressyd the lyknes and symylitude of the more brother.
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Acts xvii. f. 64 Man expresseth God..as the childe doeth resemble hys father or mother.
1635 A. Stafford Femall Glory sig. e5v Her arms expresse the Crosse whereon he dide.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Pastorals i, in tr. Virgil Wks. 2 Kids and Whelps their Syres and Dams express.
6. To represent symbolically. Said both of the agent and the symbol employed. In Mathematics to represent by a figure, symbol, or formula. Phrase, to express (a quantity) in terms of (another).
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > representation > physical representation of abstraction > symbolizing > be symbol of [verb (transitive)]
token971
to stand for ——a1387
presentc1390
discern?a1439
liken?c1450
adumbrate1537
figurate?1548
character1555
shadow1574
shade1591
characterize1594
symbolize1603
hieroglyphic1615
personatea1616
modelizea1628
similize1646
symptom1648
express1649
signaturize1669
image1778
embryo1831
symbol1832
1649 E. Reynolds Israels Prayer (new ed.) ii. 83 They should the better expres the condition of strangers.
1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ ii. ii. §6 A Child to express coming into the world, an old man for going out of it.
1684 R. Howlett School Recreat. 115 The Characters placed on the five Lines, express the Notes themselves.
a1749 Boyse Triumphs Nat. 199 The dim twilight of the arch above Seems to express the queen's disastrous love.
1751 Chambers's Cycl. (ed. 7) at Fluxion To express the fluxions of simple variable quantities..you need only put the..letters which express them with a dot over them.
1811 C. Hutton Course Math. III. 372 The fluxional equa. expressing the relation between x and z.
1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. & Art II. 38 Instruments have even been described, which express upon paper..the several winds that have blown.
1838 T. Thomson Chem. Org. Bodies 34 If we express the composition of camphoric acid by the formula 5(C2H1½) + O5.
1857 F. D. Maurice Epist. St. John xvii. 275 The divine, holy, self-sacrificing life which it [the blood sign] would appear to express.
7.
a. To manifest or reveal by external tokens. Of actions, appearances, etc.: To betoken. Now almost exclusively with reference to feelings or personal qualities, the wider use being archaic or poetic.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > expression > [verb (transitive)]
abroachc1400
figure1475
express1549
unload1561
vent1602
speaka1616
extrinsicate1645
to set out1684
ventilate1823
exhibit1849
register1901
1549 M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. II. 1 Pet. Argt. f. i He admonisheth them, that..they expresse a life worthie of their profession.
1615 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Cupids Revenge i. sig. B2v If he be A god, he will expresse it vpon thee my childe.
1665 T. Herbert Some Years Trav. (new ed.) 276 Such was the singular personal valour Ismael expressed.
c1720 M. Prior Henry & Emma 429 No longer shall thy bodice aptly lac'd..That air and harmony of shape express.
a1763 W. Shenstone Wks. Verse & Prose (1764) I. 31 I pray'd..To see the trees express their planter's care.
1814 J. Austen Mansfield Park II. xi. 251 Never did tone express indifference plainer. View more context for this quotation
c1850 J. M. Neale Hymns Eastern Ch. 80 The excellence of beauty In Jesus was expressed.
1859 Ld. Tennyson Vivien in Idylls of King 104 A robe..that more exprest Than hid her, clung about her lissome limbs.
1877 E. R. Conder Basis of Faith i. 10 Worship..directly expresses sentiment and emotion.
b. reflexive.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > expression > [verb (reflexive)]
express1549
convey1641
vent1650
to throw out1658
communicate1837
1549 M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. II. 1 Pet. iii. f. xi The enheritaunce is ready..the possession wherof he hath..entred for your sakes, so that you expresse your selues worthy of it.
1656 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. II. vi. 118 They have express'd themselves faithfull in the performance of such things as were committed to their charge.
1858 N. Hawthorne Fr. & Ital. Jrnls. I. 262 God expressed himself in the landscape to mankind.
1859 C. Kingsley Misc. I. 357 The inward beauty seldom fails to express itself in the outward.
8.
a. To represent in language; to put into words, set forth (a meaning, thought, state of things); to give utterance to (an intention, a feeling).Now the prevailing use; sense 5 – 7, so far as they survive, are often felt as transferred from this.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > state or declare [verb (transitive)]
speakc900
sayOE
sayOE
tell?a1160
to put forth?c1225
posea1325
allegec1330
declarec1330
exponec1380
to bring fortha1382
expounda1382
terminec1384
allaya1387
express1386
proport1387
purport1389
cough1393
generalize?a1425
deliverc1454
expremec1470
to show forth1498
promisea1500
term1546
to set forward1560
attribute1563
to throw out1573
quote1575
dictate1599
rendera1616
preport1616
enunciate1623
remonstrate1625
state1642
pronunciate1652
annunciate1763
present1779
enounce1805
report1842
constate1865
lodge1885
outen1951
1386 G. Chaucer Prioress's Tale 24 Lady..Thy vertu and thy grete humylitee, Ther may no tonge expresse.
14.. Epiph. in Tundale's Vis. 108 With hys mowthe who con the myrthe expresse?
c1425 Wyntoun Cron. viii. iv. 236 Til hawe of þame knawlage Expressyd..in oure Langage.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Prov. i. B Lo, I wil expresse my mynde vnto you.
1631 Earl of Manchester Contemplatio Mortis 115 Though this ineffable ioj cannot bee expressed..
1672 Duke of Buckingham Rehearsal i. 2 A phrase they have got among them, to express their no-meaning by.
1684 Earl of Roscommon Ess. Translated Verse 3 Harmonious Horace flows, With sweetness not to be exprest in Prose.
1768 L. Sterne Sentimental Journey I. 201 I could not have expressed it half so well.
1832 A. W. Fonblanque Eng. under Seven Admin. (1837) II. 257 The Princess expressed her surprise that the people in a famine did not eat buns.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps ii. xxviii. 397 My chief difficulty..may be expressed in a very few words.
1885 Law Rep.: Chancery Div. 29 449 The lease correctly expressed the bargain between the parties.
b.
(a) reflexive. To put one's thoughts into words; to utter what one thinks; to state one's opinion. †Also intransitive for reflexive.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > express one's opinion [verb (reflexive)]
utter1600
expressa1616
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) ii. i. 13 It charges me in manners, the rather to expresse myselfe. View more context for this quotation
1616 B. Jonson Epicœne iii. ii, in Wks. I. 554 What an excellent choice phrase, this lady expresses in! View more context for this quotation
1659 T. Burton Diary (1828) IV. 325 Every man has not the gift of expressing himself so in short as others.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 5. ¶5 English Writers, in their way of thinking and expressing themselves.
1884 A. R. Pennington Wiclif viii. 247 He expresses himself still more strongly in his unprinted writings.
(b) confused use.
ΚΠ
1744 E. Haywood Female Spectator (1748) I. 182 The admiration he expresses to have for her.
c. Of a word, phrase, or statement: To represent (a thought, sentiment, state of facts); to denote, import, signify. Also with sentence as object.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > meaning of linguistic unit > mean, signify, express [verb (transitive)]
tokenc888
meaneOE
sayOE
bequeathc1175
signifya1382
beara1400
bemeana1400
soundc1400
designc1429
applyc1450
betoken1502
express1526
conveya1568
intend1572
carry1584
denotate1597
pronounce1610
to set out1628
implya1640
speak1645
denote1668
designate1741
describe1808
enunciate1859
read1894
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. Biiv The ordinary glose vpon the first epistle of saynt Poule to the Corinthes dothe expresse, that [etc.].
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost iv. iii. 120 Something..That shall expresse my trueloues fasting paine. View more context for this quotation
1726 Bp. J. Butler 15 Serm. iv. 76 No Words can express too strongly the Caution which should be used.
1870 W. S. Jevons Elem. Lessons Logic iii. 16 Every assertion or statement expresses the agreement or difference of two things.
a. To mention, specify. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > the quality of being specific > make specific [verb (transitive)] > specify or state precisely
notea1325
specifyc1340
definec1374
assign1377
expressc1400
stevenc1425
condescend1510
particulate1579
particularize1593
particular1605
specialize1616
specificate1649
individualize1655
designate1677
determinate1681
precise1793
precisionize1847
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) xxiv. 112 Þe messangere of Godd expressed þat nowmer [nyne] so specially.
1447 O. Bokenham Lyvys Seyntys (1835) Introd. 2 An austyn frere Whos name as now I ne wyl expresse.
1463 in S. Tymms Wills & Inventories Bury St. Edmunds (1850) 17 My frendys..as many as ben expressyd be name in this my seid wille.
1611 Bible (King James) Num. i. 17 These men, which are expressed by their names. View more context for this quotation
1640 J. Yorke Union of Honour 84 M. Milles in his Catalogue never expresseth him.
1668 N. Culpeper & A. Cole tr. T. Bartholin Anat. (new ed.) i. iii. 5 In this Table are expressed the common Coverings of the Belly.
1790 Coll. Voy. round World IV. Introd. 1204 The respective crews of both ships, remained as expressed in the two underwritten lists.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > narration > description or act of describing > describe [verb (transitive)]
sayOE
devisec1300
readc1300
to make (a) showing ofc1330
counterfeitc1369
expressc1386
scrievec1390
descrya1400
scrya1400
drawa1413
representc1425
describec1450
report1460
qualify?1465
exhibit1534
perscribe1538
to set out1545
deline1566
delineate1566
decipher1567
denotate1599
lineate16..
denote1612
givea1616
inform?1615
to shape out1633
speaka1637
display1726
to hit off1737
c1386 G. Chaucer Canon's Yeoman's Prol. & Tale 752 It werieth me to telle of his falsnesse; And natheles yit wol I it expresse.
1548 Tindale (title) A Briefe declaration of the Sacraments, expressing the fyrst oryginall how they came up.
1573 Abp. M. Parker Let. 9 May in Corr. (1853) (modernized text) 425 I thought it not against my profession to express my times, and give some testimony of my fellow-brothers.
1613 T. Heywood Siluer Age iii. sig. F4v Heardsman, thou hast exprest a monstrous beast.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 96 Pelop's Iv'ry Shoulder..with all the rest Of Grecian Tales, by Poets are exprest . View more context for this quotation
1803 T. R. Malthus Ess. Princ. Population (new ed.) Pref. p. iii The Essay..was suggested, as is expressed in the preface.
ΚΠ
1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Surueyeng xx. f. 36v Homage, fealte, and .ii.s. by ye yere..And this he maye expresse the seruyce of the rent.
1579 G. Fenton tr. F. Guicciardini Hist. Guicciardin i. 10 The Pope..was not ashamed..called them his children, and expressed them to the world for such.
1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ i. vi. §3 He expresseth Adrastus to be the first King of Sicyon.
1785 W. Cowper Task ii. 399 I would express him simple, grave, sincere.
1790 A. J. Dallas Rep. Cases Pennsylvania 1 3 The Bills of Lading express this Rum to be shipt on the..Risque of C.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > naming > give a name to [verb (transitive)] > call or give as name to
nemneOE
clepec1000
hightOE
sayOE
nameOE
yclepec1175
callc1300
nevena1400
deemc1400
christena1470
nominate1545
term1545
titulea1550
behight1579
benamea1586
inquire1590
nuncupate1609
indigitate1623
font1652
vocitate1653
express1659
appellate1768
nomenclature1824
1659 J. Pearson Expos. Creed (1839) 122 So Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Hosea, have expressed him, as we shall hereafter have farther occasion to show.
1677 M. Hale Contempl. ii. 45 The Wise man chuseth to express him by that Title of Creator.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > speak [verb (intransitive)] > speak of or mention
sayOE
showa1200
monec1225
roundc1275
specifya1300
sermon1303
nevenc1330
readc1330
reckonc1390
to make meaninga1400
rehearsec1405
express1430
remember1531
mention1559
1430–50 tr. Higden (Rolls) I. 79 Mony prouinces, of whom hit schalle be expressede by ordre.
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure xi. i Fame gan to expresse Of jeoperdous way to the toure peryllous.
10. † b. To draw up (a commission) in express terms; to make out expressly. Obsolete. rare.
a. To state or mention explicitly; opposed to imply.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > state or declare [verb (transitive)] > clearly or explicitly
clarifyc1420
representc1443
define1535
express1600
to lay (or put) it on the line1954
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iv. i. 257 Is it so nominated in the bond? It is not so exprest, but what of that?
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxii. 121 To other intent, than is in the Writing..expressed.
1724 I. Watts Logick iii. i Wheresoever any of these words are used, there is a perfect syllogism expressed or implied.
1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron I. i. iv. 15 Hints and allusions, expressing little, insinuating much.
1808 W. Selwyn Abridgem. Law Nisi Prius II. xix. 706 The promise must be expressed in the written memorandum or note.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > legal document > [verb (transitive)] > draw up document > specific
express1462
1462 R. Calle in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 371 Debenham hathe a comyscion of the Kyng expressed oonly for that schip named in hes comyscion.
11. Genetics. To display or make manifest in a phenotype (a character or effect attributed to a particular gene); to cause (a gene) to produce its associated character in a phenotype. Chiefly passive or (occasionally) reflexive.
ΚΠ
1918 E. B. Babcock & R. E. Clausen Genetics in Relation to Agric. v. 69 The condition of dominance..is determined by the fact that in the hybrid that character is expressed to the exclusion of its contrasted character.
1927 Genetics 12 153 In these cultures the radius incompletus character is usually expressed more strongly in those flies which show the character Alae divergentes.
1946 R. R. Gates Human Genetics I. ii. 15 Many cases are now known in which the same abnormality is strictly dominant in some pedigrees and sometimes skips a generation in others... The gene is present in the germplasm, as shown by its transmission to the next generation, but for some reason it has completely failed to express itself.
1965 H. E. Sutton Introd. Human Genetics ix. 109 A dominant gene may be defined as one that is expressed when present in a single copy.
1968 New Scientist 7 Nov. 313/1 As every cell in a multi-cellular organism contains an identical set of genes directing the synthesis of its proteins, the problem of development comes down to a question of controlling the expression of genes (a gene is said to be ‘expressed’ when the protein for which it codes is actually being made in the cell). Thus in a liver cell, different genes are expressed than in, say, a brain cell.
1970 Sci. Jrnl. June 42/3 In parthenogenesis..the lethal gene is dominant and consequently its lethal effect is expressed.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
expressv.2
/ᵻkˈsprɛs/, /ɛkˈsprɛs/, U.S. /ɪkˈsprɛs/, /ɛkˈsprɛs/ Originally U.S.
transitive. To send by express messenger; to send (letters, goods, etc.) by a special delivery or by express (express adj. 3a); to send by express delivery.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > transport > [verb (transitive)] > cause to be conveyed or send > by express
dispatch1517
expedite1606
express1716
1716 Jrnls. Ho. Repr. Mass. 1 81 Isaac Winslow Esq., brought down..several letters that had been expressed to his Honour the Lieut. Governour from the Eastward.
1843 J. S. Robb Streaks Squatter Life 112 News, now-a-days,..is not news unless expressed, and..the President's message, received in the old fashioned wait-till-you-get-it manner, would not be read with interest.
a1860 Washington Republic in J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms The President's message will be expressed through to Boston, by order of the Postmaster-General.
1880 Daily News 20 Nov. 5/4 There is a saving in going by the horse-cars and ‘expressing’ the luggage at a shilling a trunk.
1892 R. L. Stevenson & L. Osbourne Wrecker x. 161 Did he express his baggage, ma'am?
1898 L. Merrick Actor-Manager xv. 210 Perhaps if the news were ‘expressed’ to the office at once.
1899 Post Office Guide Jan. 18 A Letter may be posted in any Letter Box, from which it will be collected by a Postman and be expressed on reaching the proper office.
1903 N.Y. Evening Post 22 Sept. 2 The trunks were expressed to Sullivan County, where the honeymoon was to be.
1930 Daily Express 6 Nov. 1/1 I telephoned to my mother to express my passport to me at Croydon.
1936 J. G. Cozzens Men & Brethren i. 128 After expressing their luggage, they had come over the mountains from Bologna on foot.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1972; most recently modified version published online December 2019).
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n.21553
adj.adv.n.1c1386
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