countenance
Language: English
Part of speech: noun
Pronunciation: ipa: /ˈkaʊn.tə.nəns/
ipa: /ˈkaʊnt.nəns/
ipa: [kæũ̯n.tɪ̆.nəns]
Forms: form: countenances
form: countenaunce
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.
Senses: examples: text: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
ref: 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Genesis 4:5:
text: 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.
ref: 1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XXXI, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume II, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC, page 319:
text: But Richmond, his grandfather's darling, after one thoughtful glance cast under his lashes at that uncompromising countenance appeared to lose himself in his own reflections.
ref: 1959, Georgette Heyer, chapter 1, in The Unknown Ajax:
text: With such powerful selling-points, why is it, as recent editorial comment and correspondence in this journal has revealed, that "Condor" has yet to bring a warm glow to the countenance of the L.M.R.'s accountants?
ref: 1960 January, G. Freeman Allen, “"Condor"—British Railways' fastest freight train”, in Trains Illustrated, page 46:
glosses: Appearance, especially the features and expression of the face.
examples: text: Thou hast made him[…]glad with thy countenance.
ref: 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Psalms 21:6:
text: This is the Magiſtrate's peculiar Province, to give Countenance to Piety and Virtue, and to rebuke Vice and Prophaneneſs; […]
ref: 1706 September 19 (Gregorian calendar), Francis Atterbury, “A Sermon Preach’d in the Guild-Hall Chapel, London, Sept. 28. 1706. Being the Day of the Election of the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor.”, in Fourteen Sermons Preach’d on Several Occasions. […], London: […] E. P. [Edmund Parker?] for Jonah Bowyer, […], published 1708, →OCLC, page 424:
text: 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.
ref: 1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, pages 179–180:
text: All feared and obeyed him; to use his roads we must have his countenance.
ref: 1926, T.E. Lawrence, Seven Pillars of Wisdom, New York: Anchor, published 1991, page 174:
glosses: Favour; support; encouragement.
examples: text: The election being done, he made countenance of great discontent thereat.
ref: a. 1569 (date written), Roger Ascham, edited by Margaret Ascham, The Scholemaster: Or Plaine and Perfite Way of Teaching Children, to Vnderstand, Write, and Speake, the Latin Tong, […], London: […] John Daye, […], published 1570, →OCLC:
glosses: Superficial appearance; show; pretense.
glosses: Calm facial expression, composure, self-control.
Synonyms: word: boat
word: complexion
word: countenance
word: chevy chase
word: dial
word: ecaf
word: eek
word: George Best
word: face
word: favor
word: kisser
word: look
word: map
word: mug
word: mush
word: pan
word: physiognomy
word: phiz
word: phizog
word: punim
word: visage
Meronyms: word: brow
word: cheek
word: chin
word: ear
word: eye
word: eyebrow
word: forehead
word: mouth
word: nose
word: beard
word: facial hair
word: moustache
word: expression
word: facial expression
Derived terms: countenancer
divine countenance
in countenance
keep one's countenance
out of countenance
uncountenanceable
Related terms: word: demeanor
word: body language
word: figure
word: mask
word: beautiful
word: handsome
word: homely
word: plain
word: pretty
word: ugly
word: two-faced