express: [14] Something that is expressed is literally ‘pressed out’. The word comes via Old French from Vulgar Latin *expressāre, a compound verb formed from the prefix ex- ‘out’ and pressāre ‘press’. Its meaning developed metaphorically from ‘press out’ to ‘form by pressure’ (presumably applied originally to modelling in clay or some similar substance, and subsequently to sculpture and then painting), and finally to ‘make known in words’.
The Vulgar Latin verb was in fact moving in on territory already occupied by its classical Latin forerunner exprimere (source of French exprimer ‘express’ and perhaps of English sprain [17]). The past participle of this was expressus, used adjectivally for ‘prominent, distinct, explicit’. Old French took it over as expres and passed it on to English in the 14th century.
By now its meaning was moving towards ‘intended for a particular purpose’, and in the 19th century it was applied to ‘special’ trains (as in ‘football specials’). It did not take long, however, for this to slip via ‘train for people wanting to go to a particular place, and therefore not stopping anywhere else’ to ‘fast train’. Hence the modern sense of express, ‘fast’, was born. => espresso, press, sprain
express (v.1)
late 14c., "represent in visual arts; put into words," from Old French espresser, expresser "press, squeeze out; speak one's mind" (Modern French exprimer), Medieval Latin expressare, frequentative of Latin exprimere "represent, describe, portray, imitate, translate," literally "to press out" (source also of Italian espresso); the sense evolution here perhaps is via an intermediary sense such as "clay, etc., that under pressure takes the form of an image," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + pressare "to press, push," from Latin premere (see press (v.1)). Related: Expressed; expresses; expressing.
express (adj.)
late 14c., "stated explicitly, not implied, clearly made known" from Old French espres, expres (13c.), from Latin expressus "clearly presented, distinct, articulated precisely," past participle of exprimere (see express (v.)). Also late 14c. as an adverb, "specially, on purpose;" it also doubled as an adverb in Old French. An express train (1841) originally was one that ran to a certain station.
express (v.2)
"to send by express service," 1716, from express (n.).
express (n.)
1610s, "special messenger," from express (adj.). Sense of "business or system for sending money or parcels" is by 1794.
实用例句
1. He ran a newspaper stand outside the American Express office.
他在美国运通公司办公大楼外经营一家报摊。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Many editorials express their anxieties about the economic chaos in the country.
许多社论对该国经济的混乱状况表示忧虑。
来自柯林斯例句
3. It was important for children to learn to express themselves clearly.
孩子学会清楚地表达自己很重要。
来自柯林斯例句
4. The regime is dogmatic, and no one dares to express personal opinions.
该政权很专制，没有人敢表达个人意见。
来自柯林斯例句
5. Many artists express their world view in their work.
