rictus
/ˈrɪktəs/
noun
- The opening of the mouth or the gape, especially of a bird or animal.
- The frog's rictus is surprisingly large for its body size.
- The snake's rictus stretched to swallow the mouse whole.
- The baby bird opened its rictus wide to receive food from its mother.
- A fixed or unnatural grin or grimace, often expressing pain, fear, or tension.
- She forced a rictus smile for the family photo despite her sadness.
- His face was frozen in a rictus of terror as the roller coaster plunged.
- The patient's rictus indicated he was in severe discomfort.