Literary notes about MOUE (AI summary)
In literary usage, “moue” serves as a subtle yet multifaceted device that can denote both a slight facial expression and a gentle physical movement. Often, it captures a barely perceptible grimace or a petulant twist of the lips that hints at emotions ranging from displeasure and disappointment to playful amusement ([1], [2], [3], [4], [5]). In earlier poetic and dramatic works the term is also employed to describe measured or natural motions—such as the gradual movement of a river or the deliberate shift in a dancer’s stance—thereby enriching the text with both literal and metaphorical motions ([6], [7], [8], [9]). Overall, “moue” is used by authors to convey complex emotional states and nuanced physical responses with a single, understated gesture ([10], [11]).
- “It doesn’t sound nice,” she said with a moue .
— from The Mutiny of the Elsinore by Jack London - "You haven't eaten many of Dicky's dinners then," I said audaciously, with a little moue at him.
— from Revelations of a WifeThe Story of a Honeymoon by Adele Garrison - "Sour grapes,"—making a small moue at him.
— from Molly Bawn by Duchess - She flushes crimson, flashes him an angry glance from her lovely eyes, and curls her red lips into a decided and deliberate moue at him.
— from Guy Kenmore's Wife, and The Rose and the Lily by Miller, Alex. McVeigh, Mrs. - "How do you like being a Grand Duchess, Ruth?" She made a little moue.
— from Charred Wood by Kelley, Francis Clement, Bp. - Againe, if the riuer moue directly round, what should bee the cause that begins and continues this motion?
— from A Briefe Introduction to Geography by William Pemble - And that, all Nature, abhorreth it so much: that, contrary to ordinary law, the Elementes will moue or stand.
— from The Mathematicall Praeface to Elements of Geometrie of Euclid of Megara by John Dee - So many miles doth the Heauens moue in one day, till the same point come to the place from whence it went; as till ( N ) moue round, and come
— from A Briefe Introduction to Geography by William Pemble - an their good turnes moue not, [124] Or very ſlowly.
— from The Devil is an Ass by Ben Jonson - The doctor could not help laughing at the sort of "moue" she made: when he laughed, he had something peculiarly good-natured and genial in his look.
— from Villette by Charlotte Brontë - Valérie made a moue mutine , expressive of entire repudiation of such employment.
— from Beatrice Boville and Other Stories by Ouida
