Glowered: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from Middle English, where 'gloren' meant to stare with anger.
• It has ties to Old Norse 'glórr', meaning to stare, showing its long history of expressing intense emotions.
• Initially, the word related more to physical expressions than just anger, encompassing various intense feelings.

Literature

• The word appears frequently in classic literature to describe characters with heavy emotions, creating a vivid image of their anger.
• In Shakespeare's works, characters often 'glowered' when faced with conflict, emphasizing tension in their surroundings.
• Contemporary authors use 'glowered' to depict characters who experience inner turmoil, effectively conveying their emotional state.

Psychology

• Research shows that facial expressions like glowering can heighten feelings of aggression in both the person expressing and those receiving it.
• Cross-cultural studies reveal that glowering is universally understood as a sign of displeasure, emphasizing its strong communicative power.
• In social psychology, glowering can affect group dynamics, often causing tension and reducing cooperation among individuals.

Pop Culture

• The term 'glowered' often appears in action films when the hero faces an antagonist, symbolizing a powerful clash between good and evil.
• In popular cartoons, characters often glower comically to exaggerate their anger, making it clear to the audience what they feel.
• Video games frequently use glowering expressions to depict villains, adding dramatic flair to their character designs.

Art

• Portraits from the Renaissance era sometimes feature subjects glowering, capturing the intensity of their emotions and societal status.
• In modern art, glowering figures can represent societal critiques, showcasing the frustrations of individuals in the face of authority.
• Street art often depicts characters glowering to communicate rebellion or discontent with social norms, turning the emotion into a visual statement.

At rank #28,390, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

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• 28387 supportable
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• 28389 crudest
• 28390 glowered
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