a. Also 5 expressif. [a. F. expressif, -ive, ad. L. type *expressīv-us, f. exprimĕre: see EXPRESS v. and -IVE.]
† 1. Tending to press out or expel. Obs.
c. 1400. Lanfranc’s Cirurg., 137 (MS. A.). Þat oile haþ a vertu expressif … bi þe whiche … akþis ben swagid.
2. Of or pertaining to, or concerned with, expression; having the function of expressing.
1747. Collins, Passions, 15, in Odes, 47. Each, for Madness rul’d the Hour, Would prove his own expressive Pow’r.
1764. Reid, Inquiry, iv. § 2. 109. The best judge in all the expressive arts.
1891. J. Jastrow, in Educational Rev., I. 262. The receptive powers are in advance of the expressive ones.
3. Serving to express, indicate or represent.
1711. Shaftesb., Charac., VI. i. (1737), III. 355. A situation expressive of Suspence and Doubt.
1794. S. Williams, Vermont, 378. Tables expressive of this diurnal variation.
1802. Mar. Edgeworth, Moral T. (1816), I. 222. An air of dignity, which seemed expressive of conscious innocence.
1873. Earle, Philol. Eng. Tongue, § 490 (ed. 2), 454. This has a rhetorical use expressive of contempt.
4. Full of expression. a. Of a word, phrase or symbol: Expressing its meaning with striking accuracy or force. Formerly also of a statement: Explicit. b. Of the countenance, voice, actions, works of art: Characterized by expression.
a. 1690. J. Harrington, Def. Rights Univ. Oxf., Pref. The Priviledges of this Vniversity have been in so full, clear, and expressive words granted to our Predecessours.
1711. P. H., Impartial View of 2 late Parlts., 141. This Clause they would have had more expressive.
1712–4. Pope, Rape Lock, III. 40. Four fair Queens whose hands sustain a flow’r, Th’ expressive emblem of their softer pow’r.
1859. Athenæum, 23 July, 113/3. The expressive term of bung, as signifying a public-house landlord.
1884. R. W. Church, Bacon, ix. 223. His Latin … is singularly forcible and expressive.
b. 1718. Lady M. W. Montague, Lett., II. l. 69. The expressive beauty of that face and bosom gives all the passion of pity and admiration.
1747. Ld. G. Lyttelton, Monody to Lady, xi. Through her expressive eyes her soul distinctly spoke.
1768. W. Gilpin, Ess. Prints (ed. 2), 65. He engraves in a noble, firm, expressive manner.
1832. Ht. Martineau, Ireland, ii. 29. The Italian gentleman … used an expressive gesture.
1847. G. P. R. James, J. Marston Hall, vii. His countenance was a very expressive one.
1851. D. Wilson, Preh. Ann. (1863), II. IV. viii. 452. The most expressive features of every style of Gothic architecture.
1864. Pr. Alice, Lett., 22 Jan. in Biog. Sk. & Lett. (1884), 66. Baby is so expressive, she makes such a face when she is not pleased.
5. Of a person: Open or emphatic in expressing (sentiments). Const. of. rare.
1601. Shaks., All’s Well, II. i. 54. Vse a more spacious ceremonie to the Noble Lords … be more expressiue to them.
1658. Jer. Taylor, Lett., in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. V. 5. Her … love and veneration to your Ladiship; in which she is so … expressive.
1815. Lamb, Lett. to Wordsw., 95. We felt as we had been not enough expressive of our pleasure.
† 6. Expressing itself in action; tending to outward manifestation. Obs.
1627–77. Feltham, Resolves, I. lxxxvi. 134. Solomon’s good man, is merciful to his Beast, nor take I this to be only intentional; but expressive.
1639. F. Robarts, God’s Holy Ho., viii. 58. Expressive holinesse is the outward manifestation of the former, by the words of our mouthes.
1747. Gould, Eng. Ants, 30. There is such a strong expressive Affection imprinted on them towards the Eggs.
† 7. quasi-adv. So as to be plainly exhibited; manifestly, visibly. Obs.
1718. Prior, Solomon, II. 745. Golden sayings … On large phylacteries expressive writ.
