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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

3 entries under this word

Express

Ex-press', v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. EXPRESSED (eks-prĕst'); p. pr. & vb. n. EXPRESSING.] [O. Fr. expresser, N. Fr. exprimer, Pr. expressar, espressar, Sp. expresar, Pg. expressar, It. esprimere, Lat. exprimere, expressum, from ex, out of, from, and premere, to press.]

Sense 1. To press or squeeze out; to force out by pressure; as, to express the juice of grapes, or of apples; hence, to extort; to elicit; as, to express the truth, or a confession.

To nod their grape-crowned heads into thy bowls, Expressing their rich juice. Thomson.

Halters and racks can not express from thee More than thy deeds. B. Jonson.

Sense 2. To make or offer a representation of; to imitate; to show by a copy or likeness; to represent.

Each skillful artist shall express thy form. Smith.

Sense 3. To give a true impression of; to represent and make known; to indicate; to exhibit, as an opinion or feeling, by a look, gesture, or especially by language; to declare; to utter.

My words express my purpose. Shak.

Sense 4. To make known the opinions or feelings of; to declare what is in the mind of;—used reflexively.

It charges me in manners the rather to express myself. Shak.

Sense 5. To denote; to designate.

Moses and Aaron took these men, who are expressed by their names. Num. i. 17.

Sense 6. To send by express messenger; to forward by special opportunity, or through the medium of an express; as, to express a package.

Synonyms—To declare; utter; signify; testify; intimate.

Ex-press', a.

adjective

a. [Lat. expressus, p. p. of exprimere; Fr. exprès, Pr. exprès, Sp. expreso, Pg. expresso, It. espresso. See supra.] 1. Exactly representing; closely resembling; copied. Their human countenance The express resemblance of the gods. Milton. 2. Directly stated; not implied or left to inference; distinctly and pointedly given; made unambiguous by special intention; clear; plain; as, express consent; express command. I have express commandment to the contrary. Shak. 3. Intended for a particular purpose; sent on a particular errand; dispatched with special speed or directness; as, an express messenger or train. “A messenger sent express from the other world.” Atterbury. Syn.—Explicit; clear; plain; open; unambiguous. See EXPLICIT.

Ex-prĕss', n.

noun

n. [Fr. exprès, Sp. expreso, It. espresso.]

  1. A clear image or representation; an expression; a plain declaration. [Obs.] “The only remanent express of Christ’s sacrifice on earth.” Taylor.
  2. A messenger sent on a special errand; a courier; hence, a regular and quick conveyance for packages, commissions, and the like.
  3. That which is sent by an express messenger or message. [Obs.] K. Charles.