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ex·press  (ĭk-sprĕs)
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Tweet tr.v. ex·pressed, ex·press·ing, ex·press·es 1. a. To set forth in words; state: express an opinion. b. To manifest or communicate, as by a gesture; show: expressed his anger with a frown. See Synonyms at voice. c. To make known the feelings or opinions of (oneself), as by statement or art. 2. To convey or suggest a representation of; depict: The painting expresses the rage of war victims. 3. To represent by a sign, symbol, number, or formula: express a fraction as a decimal. 4. To squeeze or press out, as juice from an orange. 5. To send by special messenger or rapid transport: express a package to Los Angeles. 6. Genetics a. To synthesize (a product, especially a protein) encoded by a gene: a gene that expresses an enzyme. b. To manifest the effects of (a gene): Half of the people who inherit the gene express it. c. To manifest (a genetic trait): All the mice in the study expressed the defect. adj. 1. Definitely and explicitly stated: their express wish. See Synonyms at explicit. 2. Particular; specific: an express plan. 3. a. Rapid and having few or no stops or interruptions: express delivery of packages; an express bus. b. Of, relating to, or appropriate for rapid travel: express lanes on a freeway. c. Designed for use in an express rifle: an express bullet. adv. By express delivery or transport. n. 1. a. A rapid, efficient system for the delivery of goods and mail. b. Goods and mail conveyed by such a system. 2. A means of transport, such as a train, that travels rapidly and makes few or no stops before its destination. 3. Chiefly British a. A special messenger. b. A message delivered by special courier. [Middle English expressen, from Old French expresser, from Medieval Latin expressāre, frequentative of Latin exprimere : ex-, ex- + premere, to press; see per-4 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] ex·presser n. ex·pressi·ble adj. |
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