express
pronunciation
How to pronounce express in British English:
UK [ɪkˈspres]
How to pronounce express in American English:
US [ɪkˈspres]
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- Noun:
- rapid transport of goods
- mail that is distributed by a rapid and efficient system
- public transport consisting of a fast train or bus that makes a limited number of scheduled stops
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- Verb:
- give expression to
- articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
- indicate through a symbol, formula, etc.
- serve as a means for expressing something
- manifest the effects of (a gene or genetic trait)
- obtain from a substance, as by mechanical action
- send my rapid transport or special messenger service
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- Adjective:
- not tacit or implied
- without unnecessary stops
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- Adverb:
- by express
Word Origin
- express
- express: [14] Something that is expressed is literally ‘pressed out’. The word comes via Old French from Vulgar Latin *expressāre, a compound verb formed from the prefix ex- ‘out’ and pressāre ‘press’. Its meaning developed metaphorically from ‘press out’ to ‘form by pressure’ (presumably applied originally to modelling in clay or some similar substance, and subsequently to sculpture and then painting), and finally to ‘make known in words’.The Vulgar Latin verb was in fact moving in on territory already occupied by its classical Latin forerunner exprimere (source of French exprimer ‘express’ and perhaps of English sprain [17]). The past participle of this was expressus, used adjectivally for ‘prominent, distinct, explicit’. Old French took it over as expres and passed it on to English in the 14th century.By now its meaning was moving towards ‘intended for a particular purpose’, and in the 19th century it was applied to ‘special’ trains (as in ‘football specials’). It did not take long, however, for this to slip via ‘train for people wanting to go to a particular place, and therefore not stopping anywhere else’ to ‘fast train’. Hence the modern sense of express, ‘fast’, was born.=> espresso, press, sprain
- express (v.1)
- late 14c., "represent in visual arts; put into words," from Old French espresser, expresser "press, squeeze out; speak one's mind" (Modern French exprimer), Medieval Latin expressare, frequentative of Latin exprimere "represent, describe, portray, imitate, translate," literally "to press out" (source also of Italian espresso); the sense evolution here perhaps is via an intermediary sense such as "clay, etc., that under pressure takes the form of an image," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + pressare "to press, push," from Latin premere (see press (v.1)). Related: Expressed; expresses; expressing.
- express (adj.)
- late 14c., "stated explicitly, not implied, clearly made known" from Old French espres, expres (13c.), from Latin expressus "clearly presented, distinct, articulated precisely," past participle of exprimere (see express (v.)). Also late 14c. as an adverb, "specially, on purpose;" it also doubled as an adverb in Old French. An express train (1841) originally was one that ran to a certain station.
- express (v.2)
- "to send by express service," 1716, from express (n.).
- express (n.)
- 1610s, "special messenger," from express (adj.). Sense of "business or system for sending money or parcels" is by 1794.
Example
- 1. What words will express it ?
- 2. You are equally obliged to express regret on leaving .
- 3. Federal express has discussed this possibility with mr mitchell .
- 4. But not everyone on hand welcomed the tea party express .
- 5. The wild colours of matisse express everything in imaginative hues .