Wiktionary
n. The expression or countenance that seems to an onlooker to be represented by the appearance of a person's face, resulting from specific use of that person's facial muscles.
WordNet
n. a gesture executed with the facial muscles [syn: facial gesture]
the expression on a person's face; "a sad expression"; "a look of triumph"; "an angry face" [syn: expression, look, aspect, face]
Wikipedia
A facial expression is one or more motions or positions of the muscles beneath the skin of the face. According to one set of controversial theories, these movements convey the emotional state of an individual to observers. Facial expressions are a form of nonverbal communication. They are a primary means of conveying social information between humans, but they also occur in most other mammals and some other animal species. (For a discussion of the controversies on these claims, see Fridlund and Russell & Fernandez Dols.)
Humans can adopt a facial expression voluntarily or involuntarily, and the neural mechanisms responsible for controlling the expression differ in each case. Voluntary facial expressions are often socially conditioned and follow a cortical route in the brain. Conversely, involuntary facial expressions are believed to be innate and follow a subcortical route in the brain.
Facial recognition is often an emotional experience for the brain and the amygdala is highly involved in the recognition process.
The eyes are often viewed as important features of facial expressions. Aspects such as blinking rate can be used to indicate whether or not a person is nervous or whether or not he or she is lying. Also, eye contact is considered an important aspect of interpersonal communication. However, there are cultural differences regarding the social propriety of maintaining eye contact or not.
Beyond the accessory nature of facial expressions in spoken communication between people, they play a significant role in communication with sign language. Many phrases in sign language include facial expressions in the display.
There is controversy surrounding the question of whether or not facial expressions are worldwide and universal displays among humans. Supporters of the Universality Hypothesis claim that many facial expressions are innate and have roots in evolutionary ancestors. Opponents of this view question the accuracy of the studies used to test this claim and instead believe that facial expressions are conditioned and that people view and understand facial expressions in large part from the social situations around them.
Usage examples of "facial expression".
He knew Colonel Szendro was watching him closely, he knew that if he were what he claimed to be, an innocent citizen of Budapest, he should be afraid and fear should show in his face, but he could not bring himself to it: not because he was unable to do so, but because he knew of the reciprocal relationship between facial expression and the mind: to show fear did not necessarily mean that one was afraid: but to show fear when one was afraid and fighting desperately not to be afraid, would be fatal.
She studied the wording for a long time, her facial expression turning from surprise to utter frustration to downright anger.
The Dentist only has one facial expression (already described) but it changes in intensity.
The facial expression, while largely changeless, was not quite as idiotic as that of most robots.
The facial expression, while largely change-less, was not quite as idiotic as that of most robots.
They communicated with signs, gestures, and nuances of facial expression and stance.
His octopus solidifies into a squat, blockish maroon blob obscuring half his face while simultaneouslythrough some arcane alchemy of facial expression interacting with the nano-tattooconveys bullish obstinacy.
He stiffened in his chair, the smile vanished, and his facial expression turned grave.