Grimace
/ˈɡrɪm.əs/noun
A facial expression of pain, disgust, or embarrassment.
Did you know?English got **grimace** from French in the 17th century, and its older source may be linked to a Germanic root meaning “to grin” or “show the teeth,” which is why the word still feels like a face contorting under pressure.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ghrei-
“to rub, scrape, or grind”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*grīmô
“mask, visor; something that covers the face”
Old English
OE
grima
“mask, helmet, specter”
Old French
OF
grimace
“a face, a distorted facial expression”
17th Century
English
grimace
“a distorted facial expression, especially one showing pain or disgust”