grimace

Etymology

From French grimace, from Middle French grimace, from Old French grimace, grimuche, from grime (“mask”) (with the pejorative suffix -ace, from Latin -āceus), from Frankish *grīma, *grīmō (“mask”), from Proto-Germanic *grīmô (“mask, helmet”). Cognate with Old English grīma (“mask, visor, helmet, spectre, apparition”). More at grime.

noun

1. A contorted facial expression, often expressing contempt or pain.
   I trundle off to bed, eyes brimming, face twisted into a grateful glistening grimace, and awaken the next day wondering what all the fuss was about. 2005 March, Opera News
2. (obsolete) Affectation, pretence.
   Zeluco considered all this as mere affectation and grimace, and was convinced that she would, in due time, unfold the particular mode in which she wished to be indemnified […]. 1789, John Moore, Zeluco, Valancourt, published 2008, page 105
   Charlotte was equally insensible to all his fashionable grimace, and indifferent to his conversation. 1790, Helen Maria Williams, Julia, Routledge, published 2016, page 21

verb

1. (intransitive) To make grimaces; to distort one's face; to make faces.