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grimace (n.)

1650s, from French grimace (15c.) "grotesque face, ugly mug," possibly from Frankish or another Germanic source (compare Old Saxon grima "face mask," Old English grima "mask, helmet"), from the same root as grim (adj.). With pejorative suffix -azo (from Latin -aceus).

grimace (v.)

1707, from French grimacer, from grimace "grotesque face" (see grimace (n.)). Related: Grimaced; grimacing.

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Definitions of grimace from WordNet
1
grimace (v.)
contort the face to indicate a certain mental or emotional state;
He grimaced when he saw the amount of homework he had to do
Synonyms: make a face / pull a face
2
grimace (n.)
a contorted facial expression;
she made a grimace at the prospect
Synonyms: face
From wordnet.princeton.edu