express

Definition of express

Etymology

Verb from Mediaeval Latin expressare, form of Latin exprimere ("to represent, to describe; to press out"), from ex- ("out") + primere ("to press").[1] Cognate to espresso.

Adjective from form expressus.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ɛk.spɹɛs/ SAMPA: /Ek.sprEs/
• Audio (US) ^[?]
• Rhymes: -ɛs

Adjective

express (comparative more express, superlative most express)

1. Moving or operating quickly, as a train not making local stops.
2. (comparable) Specific or precise.
   
   I gave him express instructions not to begin until I arrived, but he ignored me.
   
   
3. Truly depicted; exactly resembling.
   
   In my eyes it bore a livelier image of the spirit, it seemed more express and single, than the imperfect and divided countenance.

Synonyms

• explicit
• (of a train): fast

Noun

express (plural expresses)

1. A mode of transportation, often a train, that travels quickly or directly.
   
   I took the express into town.

Synonyms

• (
  of a train): fast train

Antonyms

• (of a train): local, stopper

Verb

to express (third-person singular simple present expresses, present participle expressing, simple past and past participle expressed)

1. (transitive) To convey or communicate; to make known or explicit.
   
   Words cannot express the love I feel for him.
   
   
2. (transitive) To secrete or cause to be secreted, especially said of milk.
3. (biochemistry) To translate messenger RNA into protein.
4. (biochemistry) To transcribe deoxyribonucleic acid into messenger RNA.

Related terms

• expressible
• expressibly
• expression
• expressive
• expressively
• expressly