Grimace

Part of speech: noun, verb

Pronunciation: /ˈɡɹɪm.əs/

Definitions

1. A facial expression showing disgust, pain, or disapproval, typically involving a contortion of the features
2. A facial distortion expressing discomfort, revulsion, or displeasure through twisted mouth and scrunched features
3. A contorted expression of the face that conveys aversion, agony, or disapprobation through muscular tension

Etymology: The face-pulling sense of "grimace" grew out of a word for a mask. Old French "grimace" and "grimuche" meant a mask or a false, deceptive face, and the word traces back to Frankish "grīma" and Proto-Germanic "grīmô", meaning "mask" or "helmet." Old English had its cognate "grīma," which could mean a visor, a helmet, or even a ghost or apparition, so the idea of a face hiding behind something artificial runs deep in the family. The modern sense of a twisted facial expression developed from that masked, false face. The suffix "-ace," inherited from Latin "-āceus," gave the word a pejorative flavour, marking the expression as affected or insincere rather than neutral. A grimace was therefore never simply a face; it was a face performing something it did not truly feel.

Synonyms: scowl, frown, wince, mug, contort

Antonyms: smile, grin, beam, laugh, exult