rictus

[ rik-tuhs ]

noun

, plural ric·tus, ric·tus·es.

1. the gape of the mouth of a bird.
2. the gaping or opening of the mouth.

rictus

/ ˈrɪktəs /

noun

1. the gap or cleft of an open mouth or beak
2. a fixed or unnatural grin or grimace, as in horror or death

Derived Forms

• ˈrictal, adjective

Other Words From

• rictal adjective
• sub·rictal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rictus¹

1750–60; < Latin: wide-open mouth, equivalent to rig-, variant stem of ringī to open the mouth wide + -tus suffix of v. action.

Word History and Origins

Origin of rictus¹

C18: from Latin, from ringī to gape

Example Sentences

The lovely lips twisted into a rictus sneer, frightening on that smooth young face, until she got them under control.

From Project Gutenberg

Then his mouth twisted in a rictus of dreadful mirth, so wrung was he with pain, yet so overcome by what he had seen.

From Project Gutenberg

Vargus grinned suddenly, a momentary rictus that came and went, utterly horrible.

From Project Gutenberg

Rictus ampli, ad mandibul superioris basin vibrissis rigidis armati.

From Project Gutenberg

He lay back on the pillows again, with a smile that was twisted into a rictus of agony as a twinge wrung the injured limb.

From Project Gutenberg