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'I can read you like a book, baby!'

DEFINITION: v., To read a person's face and interpret what they are actually thinking, even if they are trying to conceal their true feelings. n., The skill of reading people's faces, especially micro-expressions.

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Verboticisms

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Clairavoidance

mrskellyscl

Created by: mrskellyscl

Pronunciation: clair-a-voi-dance

Sentence: When Tom saw "that look" on Clair's face he used his powers of clairavoidance to disappear before she had a chance to make him do chores.

Etymology: clairvoyance: the power to perceive objects or events without use of the senses + avoidance: defense mechanism consisting of refusal to encounter unpleasant situations, objects or people

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Corrictus

Created by: astorey

Pronunciation: core-ick-tus

Sentence: Suzanne was not known for her poker face, but when her best friend eagerly unzipped a garment bag to reveal a hideous maid of honor dress intended for Suzanne, she tried to hide her horror. In spite of the typical bride narcissism, Tory took one look at Suzanne's corrictus and started to cry.

Etymology: Correct + rictus, which means a facial expression that is an open-mouthed grimace.

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COMMENTS:

The poofy sleeves, the colour you least suit, the sheer unrewearability of the briddesmaid gown...why oh why do they do it? Do they really think an ugly bridesmaid outfit makes the bride look better??? Think again! - Nosila, 2008-10-17: 00:04:00

metrohumanx Quite jolly! - metrohumanx, 2008-10-17: 06:20:00

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Wiseguise

petaj

Created by: petaj

Pronunciation: wise guys

Sentence: Carl was no wiseguise. He could never tell what his girlfriend was thinking despite careful study of her expressions.

Etymology: wise (knowledgeable) + guise (face/expression) + wise guy (smarty pants)

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COMMENTS:

good one petaj - Jabberwocky, 2007-11-19: 12:10:00

Nice word! - OZZIEBOB, 2007-11-19: 16:15:00

Yup, very creative. - purpleartichokes, 2007-11-19: 18:14:00

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Emoticonclude

Created by: Tigger

Pronunciation: ĭ-mō-tĭ-kŏn-klōōd'

Sentence: When Vicky reminded Dave about the about their church's spaghetti dinner they were supposed to go to on Sunday, and he replied that he was looking forward to it, she correctly emoticoncluded that he'd rather be watching football instead, and that he'd be looking for any excuse to get him out of the event — she could tell by his too eager expression.

Etymology: Emoticon (English Slang: 1980–85; blend of 'emotion' and 'icon') + conclude - "to determine by reasoning; deduce; infer" (Latin, concludere - comb. form of claudere, "to shut")

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Ekman

Created by: CDH167

Pronunciation: eck man

Sentence: I thought I could lie with a straight face, but when I got home, my wife totally ekmanned me.

Etymology: From Paul Ekman, the psychologist who discovered microexpressions.

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Faceseer

Created by: abrakadeborah

Pronunciation: Face-sea-er

Sentence: Harry Halo was a faceseer and was able to predict Harrietta's thoughts.

Etymology: A play on words; Face-and "See"-er

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Visagenary

Created by: Nosila

Pronunciation: viz ah jen ari

Sentence: Victor had visagenary skills. His ability to tell whether or not a person was lying was legendary. This skill had stood him well through his life and was very handy when dealing with the children he taught in school. He taught them that the truth was their only option, because you could never tell who had this power besides him. It helped while dating (her lips were smiling but her eyes weren't...) And he could have been a human lie detector for the CIA or FBI or the police. Victor figured as long as he had the gift, he might as well earn some money with it. That's when he started on the Celebrity Poker circuit and won millions with his visagenary talents!

Etymology: Visage (the human face; the appearance conveyed by a person's face) & Visionary (a person with unusual powers of foresight,seeing ahead; knowing in advance; foreseeing)

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COMMENTS:

great word - Jabberwocky, 2008-10-16: 15:52:00

Excellent! - Mustang, 2008-10-16: 19:34:00

metrohumanx First-rate word, that. - metrohumanx, 2008-10-17: 07:47:00

Terrific - OZZIEBOB, 2008-10-19: 00:31:00

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Visagenary

Created by: Nosila

Pronunciation: vee saj en er ree

Sentence: Hall was gifted with the ability to read other people's faces. It meant he was a visagenary, very handy when dating the ladies...

Etymology: Visage (face) & Visionary (person gifted with foresight, a seer)

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Facecracker

Created by: bzav1

Pronunciation: face + cracker

Sentence: There was no use lying to mom. Her skills as a facecracker were beyond compare.

Etymology: like a safe cracker - every great team of bankrobbers needs one

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COMMENTS:

Great word! - purpleartichokes, 2007-11-19: 09:58:00

very nice - yellowbird, 2007-11-19: 10:27:00

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Rosettaface

artr

Created by: artr

Pronunciation: rōˈzetə fās

Sentence: Crystal could never keep a secret. She had a real rosettaface. If there was a thought or emotion within her being, it was expressed on her face like a neon sign. Much as she might try she could not conceal her feelings. Even her goldfish had her pegged.

Etymology: Rosetta Stone (a key to some previously undecipherable mystery) + Face (the front part of a person's head from the forehead to the chin)

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COMMENTS:

metrohumanx Wonderfully arcane reference! Top-notch word! - metrohumanx, 2008-10-16: 06:04:00

another goodie artr - Jabberwocky, 2008-10-16: 15:59:00

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Comments:

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2007-11-19: 00:01:00
Today's definition was suggested by aigle101. Thank you aigle101! ~ James

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2007-11-19: 00:02:00
If you are interested in learning more about face reading and micro-expressions, check out The Naked Face. It's an article written by Malcolm Gladwell which originally appeared New Yorker magazine. ~ James

metrohumanx - 2008-10-16: 06:24:00
Clairvoyant wins lottery for second time!

artr artr - 2008-10-16: 19:13:00
Nobody ever really wants the fruit salad.:-)

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2010-03-12: 00:34:00
Today's definition was suggested by aigle101. Thank you aigle101. ~ James