Expressionlessly

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a way that lacks any visible emotion or feeling
2. Performed without any hint of emotional expression or sentiment
3. Done in a manner that reveals no emotional response or facial expression

Etymology: "Expressionlessly" is a plain formation: the adjective "expressionless" with the adverbial suffix "-ly" added at the end. The adjective itself is built from "expression" plus "-less," the Old English element meaning "without," which in turn comes from a noun meaning "loss" or "lack." So the word simply means "in a manner lacking expression," with each layer adding one clear idea. The noun "expression" came into English from Middle French, which had taken it from Late Latin "expressio," a noun from "exprimere," "to press out." That Latin verb combined "ex-" ("out") with "premere" ("to press"), so the original sense is of pressing something out, as juice is squeezed from fruit. Over time the sense moved from pressing out a physical substance to pressing out thoughts and feelings into outward form, which is why a face can be called "expressionless" when it shows nothing of what lies behind it.

Synonyms: blankly, emotionlessly, stoically, impassively, unemotionally

Antonyms: expressively, emotionally, animatedly, vivaciously, enthusiastically