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Grimaced Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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grimaced

[ษกrษชหˆmeษชst ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

facial expression

To grimace means to make a facial expression often indicating disgust, pain, or discomfort. It can be an involuntary reaction to something unpleasant or an exaggerated expression used for emphasis. People may grimace when they encounter something they find distasteful or when experiencing physical discomfort. The act of grimacing is typically characterized by the twisting of the face, often involving the mouth.

Synonyms

frown, mask, scowl, wince.

Examples of usage

  • He grimaced at the sour taste of the lemon.
  • She grimaced in pain after hitting her knee.
  • The thought of eating bugs made him grimace.
  • He couldn't help but grimace during the horror movie.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Facial expressions, like grimacing, can communicate feelings without using words, often reflecting discomfort or disapproval.
  • Research shows that grimacing can sometimes increase feelings of disgust or fear in observers during social situations.

Pop Culture

  • In movies, characters often grimace during tense moments to visually represent their inner struggles or pain.
  • There are many memes featuring people grimacing, usually to humorously express relatable discomfort.

Health

  • Medical professionals may observe grimaced expressions to gauge pain levels in patients, especially when they can't verbalize it.
  • A common response to experiencing strong sensations, like tasting something bitter, is to grimace.

Literature

  • Many authors use the act of grimacing in their characters to show emotions, especially in dramatic or tension-filled scenes.
  • In classic literature, grimacing was often associated with portraying inner demons or moral conflict within characters.

Origin of 'grimaced'

Main points about word origin

  • The word originated from the Old French word 'grimacer', which means to distort the face.
  • In the early 19th century, it began to be used in English, describing the facial expressions of actors in plays.

The word 'grimace' comes from the French term 'grimacer', which means 'to make a grimace' or 'to scowl.' This French word is derived from the old French expression that relates to making faces or showing discontent. The root can be traced back to the Latin term 'grima,' meaning 'facial distortion or fright.' Over time, the word transitioned into Middle English and evolved into its current form. 'Grimace' was first recorded in the English language in the early 17th century and has since been used to describe a wide range of negative facial expressions. Its usage has remained consistent, primarily depicting reactions of pain, discomfort, or disgust. The emotional connotations associated with grimacing have also made it a useful term in literary and everyday contexts to convey a similar sentiment.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,769, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.