Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “microexpression” come from?

microexpression (English) comes from English expression, from Middle French expression, from Latin expressio, from Latin -tiō, from Latin dissertātiō, from Latin dissertus, from Latin disserere, from Latin dis- — small stone, pebble; gravel, rubble.

microexpression (English): A fleeting, involuntary facial expression that...

Definitions

  1. A fleeting, involuntary facial expression that...

Ancestry of “microexpression”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishexpressionThe action of expressing thoughts, ideas,...
2Middle Frenchexpression—
3Latinexpressioexpulsion; expression, pressing
4Latin-tiō—
5Latindissertātiō—
6Latindissertusarranged, disposed; explained
7Latindissereresecond-person singular future passive indicative...
8Latindis-asunder, apart, in two; reversal, removal;...
9Latincalceusshoe
10Latincalxlimestone; chalk; the finish line
11Ancient Greekχάλιξsmall stone, pebble; gravel, rubble
Every word from Ancient Greek χάλιξ →