countenance
/ˈkaʊn.tə.nəns/ noun, verb
Forms countenances countenancing countenanced countenaunce
- noun Appearance, especially the features and expression of the face.
- noun Favour; support; encouragement.
- noun (obsolete) Superficial appearance; show; pretense.
- noun Calm facial expression, composure, self-control.
- verb (transitive) To tolerate, support, sanction, patronise or approve of something. “The cruel punishment was countenanced by the government, although it was not officially legal.”
Synonyms
boat complexion chevy chase dial ecaf eek George Best face favor kisser look map mug mush pan physiognomy phiz phizog punim visage sanction endorsement indorsement warrant imprimatur smiler permit allow let
Etymology
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.
Webster’s 1913
- noun Appearance or expression of the face; look; aspect; mien.
- noun The face; the features.
- verb To encourage; to favor; to approve; to aid; to abet.
- verb To make a show of; to pretend. [Obs.]
Etymology [OE. contenance, countenaunce, demeanor, composure, F. contenance demeanor, fr. L. continentia continence, LL. also, demeanor, fr. L. continere to hold together, repress, contain. See Contain, and cf. Continence.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “countenance”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details