The two soft, movable parts that form the opening of the mouth in humans and many animals. Essential for speaking, eating, and facial expression.
From Old English 'lippa', related to Latin 'labium' and Proto-Indo-European 'leb-' meaning 'to lick'. The word has remained remarkably stable across Germanic languages, reflecting the fundamental importance of this body part.
Lips are uniquely human in their expressive capability - while other animals have lips for eating, only humans use them for the complex articulations required for speech and the social bonding of kissing. They're also one of the most sensitive parts of the body, packed with nerve endings that make them perfect for both communication and affection.
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