expressivity
|ex-press-iv-i-ty|
/ɪkˌsprɛsɪˈvɪti/
degree/ability to express
Etymology
'expressivity' originates from English, specifically from the adjective 'expressive' plus the noun-forming suffix '-ity', where the Latin root 'exprimere' (from which 'express'/'expressive' derives) meant 'to press out' (with 'ex-' meaning 'out' and 'primere' meaning 'to press').
'expressivity' changed from the adjective and verb lineage: Latin 'exprimere' → Old French 'exprimer' → Middle English 'express'/'expressive' and eventually the modern English noun 'expressivity' formed by adding '-ity' to 'expressive'.
Initially the Latin root meant 'to press out', then evolved to mean 'to convey or state' (to express); over time the modern English noun 'expressivity' developed to mean 'the degree or quality of expressing' in general, and more specialized senses (linguistic/CS, genetics) emerged.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the quality or state of being expressive; the ability to convey emotion, feeling, or meaning clearly and effectively.
The dancer's expressivity moved the audience.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
(Linguistics / computer science) The degree to which a language or formal system can represent concepts, structures, or computations; expressive power.
Researchers evaluated the expressivity of several query languages.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 3
(Genetics) The degree to which a particular genotype is phenotypically expressed, especially the extent or severity of expression among individuals with the same genotype.
The disorder's expressivity varies widely among affected family members.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/28 00:16