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expression

 - 6 dictionary results

ex⋅pres⋅sion

[ik-spresh-uhn]
–noun
1. the act of expressing or setting forth in words: the free expression of political opinions.
2. a particular word, phrase, or form of words: old-fashioned expressions.
3. the manner or form in which a thing is expressed in words; wording; phrasing: delicacy of expression.
4. the power of expressing in words: joy beyond expression.
5. indication of feeling, spirit, character, etc., as on the face, in the voice, or in artistic execution: the lyric expression embodied in his poetry.
6. a look or intonation expressing personal reaction, feeling, etc.: a shocked expression.
7. the quality or power of expressing an attitude, emotion, etc.: a face that lacks expression; to read with expression.
8. the act of expressing or representing, as by symbols.
9. Mathematics. a symbol or a combination of symbols representing a value, relation, or the like.
10. Linguistics. the stylistic characteristics of an utterance (opposed to meaning ).
11. Linguistics. the system of verbal utterances specific to a language (opposed to content ).
12. the act of expressing or pressing out.
13. Computers. a combination of variables, constants, and functions linked by operation symbols and any required punctuation that describe a rule for calculating a value.
14. Genetics.
a. the action of a gene in the production of a protein or a phenotype.
b. expressivity (def. 2).

Origin:
1425–75; late ME < L expressiōn- (s. of expressiō) a pressing out. See express, -ion


ex⋅pres⋅sion⋅al, adjective
ex⋅pres⋅sion⋅less, adjective
ex⋅pres⋅sion⋅less⋅ly, adverb


1. utterance, declaration, assertion, statement. 2. term, idiom. See phrase. 3. language, diction, phraseology. 5. manifestation, sign. 6. aspect, air.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To expression
ex·pres·sion   (ĭk-sprěsh'ən)   
n.  
  1. The act of expressing, conveying, or representing in words, art, music, or movement; a manifestation: an expression of rural values.

  2. Something that expresses or communicates: Let this plaque serve as an expression of our esteem.

  3. Mathematics A symbol or combination of symbols that represents a quantity or a relationship between quantities.

  4. The manner in which one expresses oneself, especially in speaking, depicting, or performing.

  5. A particular word or phrase: "an old Yankee expression . . . 'Stand up and be counted'" (Charles Kuralt).

  6. The outward manifestation of a mood or a disposition: My tears are an expression of my grief.

  7. A facial aspect or a look that conveys a special feeling: an expression of scorn.

  8. The act of pressing or squeezing out.

  9. Genetics The act or process of expressing a gene.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: ex·pres·sion
Function: noun
1 : an act, process, or instance of representing or conveying in words or some other medium : SPEECH expression under the First Amendment>
2 : a mode or means of expressing an idea, opinion, or thought
NOTE: An expression is protectible under copyright law, but an idea is not.
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ex·pres·sion
Pronunciation: ik-'spresh-&n
Function: noun
1 a : something that manifests, represents, reflects,embodies, or symbolizes something else expression of a disease> b (1) : the detectable effect of a gene expression can be controlled byregulatory proteins that bind to specific sites on DNA —Mark Ptashne> (2) : EXPRESSIVITY
2 : facial aspect or vocal intonation as indicative of feeling
3 : an act or product of pressing out
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

expression ex·pres·sion (ĭk-sprěsh'ən)
n.

  1. The act of pressing or squeezing out.

  2. The outward manifestation of a mood or disposition by mobility of the facial features; facies.

  3. The phenotype manifested by a genotype under fixed environmental conditions.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Computing Dictionary

expression programming
Any piece of program code in a high-level language which, when (if) its execution terminates, returns a value. In most programming languages, expressions consist of constants, variables, operators, functions, and parentheses. The operators and functions may be built-in or user defined. Languages differ on how expressions of different types may be combined - with some combination of explicit casts and implicit coercions.
The syntax of expressions generally follows conventional mathematical notation, though some languages such as Lisp or Forth have their own idiosyncratic syntax.
(2001-05-14)

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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