Etymology

risorius

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Today it means: A narrow band of facial muscle arising from the fascia over the masseter and inserting into the tissues at the corner of the mouth, which it draws laterally, as is used when smiling. Full definition →

Late Latin rīsōrius
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The story

  1. Late Latin · borrowed fromrīsōrius“ridiculous, laughing”
  2. English todayrisorius

Borrowed from Late Latin rīsōrius (“ridiculous, laughing”), clipping of mūsculus rīsōrius (“laughing muscle”).

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.