Past tense of frown; to contract the brow in displeasure or concentration, creating wrinkles on the forehead. Can also mean to disapprove of something.
From Middle English froune, possibly from Old French frognier meaning 'to snort' or 'turn up one's nose'. The facial expression became associated with disapproval by the 14th century.
Frowning actually uses more facial muscles than smiling, despite the popular myth claiming the opposite. The furrows created by frowning follow the same patterns across all human cultures, making it a truly universal expression of displeasure.
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