countenance
Appearance, especially the features and expression of the face.
Noun
- Appearance, especially the features and expression of the face.
- How Cownterfet Cowntenaunce of the new get / With Crafty Conueyauance dothe smater and flater, / And Cloked Collucyoun is brought in to clater / With Courtely Abusyoun; […] - 1523, John Skelton, “A Ryght Delectable...
- But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. - 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Genesis 4:5:
- It was as if the countenance were for a brief while allowed to wear the likeness of the peaceful and spiritual world whither the soul had departed. - 1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XXXI, in Francesca...
- Favour; support; encouragement.
- Thou hast made him[…]glad with thy countenance. - 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Psalms 21:6:
- This is the Magiſtrate's peculiar Province, to give Countenance to Piety and Virtue, and to rebuke Vice and Prophaneneſs; […] - 1706 September 18 (date delivered; Gregorian calendar), Francis Atterbury, “A Sermon...
- However, the poor old lady is in great distress; she and her grandaughter are coming up to London, and I wish to give them all possible countenance and assistance. - 1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “Prudence in...
- Superficial appearance; show; pretense.
- The election being done, he made countenance of great discontent thereat. - a. 1569 (date written), Roger Ascham, edited by Margaret Ascham, The Scholemaster: Or Plaine and Perfite Way of Teaching Children, to...
- Calm facial expression, composure, self-control.
Origin
From Middle English contenaunce, countenaunce, from Anglo-Norman countenance and Old French contenance, from the present participle of contenir, or from Late Latin continentia, and therefore a doublet of continence.
Forms
Synonyms
boat complexion countenance chevy chase dial ecaf eek George Best face favor kisser look map mug mush pan physiognomy phiz phizog punim visage
Related
demeanor body language figure mask beautiful handsome homely plain pretty ugly two-faced
Derived
countenancer divine countenance in countenance keep one's countenance out of countenance uncountenanceable
Verb
- To tolerate, support, sanction, patronise or approve of something.
- The cruel punishment was countenanced by the government, although it was not officially legal.
- I won't countenance other than compunctious semblances for such a grievous blunder.
- For the Defence was not actually countenanced by the Law, but only tolerated, and there were differences of opinion even on that point, whether the Law could be interpreted to admit such tolerances at all. - 1937, Willa...