1
a
: the opening or gape (see gape entry 2 sense 2a) of a mouth
especially
: the gape of a bird's mouth
b
: the edge or margin of the upper or lower mandible of an animal (such as a bird or snake)
also
: the point or angle where the upper and lower mandible of an animal meet
2
: a rigid grin or grimace usually with the mouth open or lips parted
At the beach bar of a St Lucia hotel, Doc pulls his face into a welcoming rictus and steels himself for the Happy Hour invasion.—Rhoda Koenig
There, on the monitors in freeze frame, is Jack Nicholson, a hideous rictus carved onto his leering countenance.—Bill Zehme
—sometimes used before another noun… Billie Shepherd tried to spice up the ice with a girl-powered routine but was so nervous, her face was frozen in a rictus grin.—Michael Hogan
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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