compursion

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English[edit]

Noun[edit]

compursion (plural compursions)

  1. (rare) A pursing, as of the lips.
    • 1761, [Laurence Sterne], The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, volume IV, London: [] R[obert] and J[ames] Dodsley [], →OCLC:
      However, as he knew not what the true cause might turn out, he deemed it most prudent, in the situation he was in at present, to bear it, if possible, like a Stoic, which, with the help of some wry faces and compursions of the mouth, he had certainly accomplished, had his imagination continued neuter: []
    • 2001, Jamie O'Neill, At Swim, Two Boys, page 254:
      A compursion of the boy's face. "Does it mean something I don't understand?"