In my weekend reading I noticed that the writer (who shall remain nameless to protect the guilty) frequently used the word statement to mean facial expression.

His face was devoid of statement, but inside he was seething.

His face took on a surprised statement.


The writer uses USn spelling so I assume he comes from over that side of the Atlantic. I strongly suspect he has undergone some sort of psychobabble counselling. Has anyone else come across this use of the word or is this an idiosyncracy of the writer?

Bingley


Bingley