Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
rictus
noun
ˈrɪktəs
Definition
A rictus is a wide-open mouth or grimace, often used to describe a fixed smile or an expression that reveals teeth.
Examples
- His face was frozen in a rictus of pain.
- The actor wore a rictus while portraying the villain, capturing the character’s menacing nature.
Meaning
The term typically denotes an unnatural or exaggerated mouth position, especially in reference to a creature or person displaying a grin or grimace.
Synonyms
- grin
- grimace
- smile
- mask
- gaping mouth
