Out of countenance

Out of countenance
Countenance Coun"te*nance (koun"t[-e]*nans), n. [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}.] 1. Appearance or expression of the face; look; aspect; mien. [1913 Webster]

So spake the Son, and into terror changed His countenance. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

2. The face; the features. [1913 Webster]

In countenance somewhat doth resemble you. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

3. Approving or encouraging aspect of face; hence, favor, good will, support; aid; encouragement. [1913 Webster]

Thou hast made him . . . glad with thy countenance. --Ps. xxi. 6. [1913 Webster]

This is the magistrate's peculiar province, to give countenance to piety and virtue, and to rebuke vice. --Atterbury. [1913 Webster]

4. Superficial appearance; show; pretense. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

The election being done, he made countenance of great discontent thereat. --Ascham. [1913 Webster]

{In countenance}, in an assured condition or aspect; free from shame or dismay. ``It puts the learned in countenance, and gives them a place among the fashionable part of mankind.'' --Addison.

{Out of countenance}, not bold or assured; confounded; abashed. ``Their best friends were out of countenance, because they found that the imputations . . . were well grounded.'' --Clarendon.

{To keep the countenance}, to preserve a composed or natural look, undisturbed by passion or emotion. --Swift. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • out of countenance — Abashed • • • Main Entry: ↑countenance * * * disconcerted or unpleasantly surprised I put him clean out of countenance just by looking at him …   Useful english dictionary

  • out of countenance — ► out of countenance disconcerted or unpleasantly surprised. Main Entry: ↑countenance …   English terms dictionary

  • out of countenance — disconcerted or unpleasantly surprised. → countenance …   English new terms dictionary

  • put out of countenance — index bait (harass), humiliate, pique Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • Countenance — Coun te*nance (koun t[ e]*nans), n. [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.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • countenance — ► NOUN 1) a person s face or facial expression. 2) formal support or approval. ► VERB ▪ admit as acceptable or possible. ● keep one s countenance Cf. ↑keep one s countenance ● …   English terms dictionary

  • countenance — [kount′ n əns] n. [ME & OFr contenance, bearing, conduct < L continentia, lit., way one holds oneself, restraint < continere: see CONTAIN] 1. the look on a person s face that shows one s nature or feelings 2. the face; facial features;… …   English World dictionary

  • Out — (out), adv. [OE. out, ut, oute, ute, AS. [=u]t, and [=u]te, [=u]tan, fr. [=u]t; akin to D. uit, OS. [=u]t, G. aus, OHG. [=u]z, Icel. [=u]t, Sw. ut, Dan. ud, Goth. ut, Skr. ud. [root]198. Cf. {About}, {But}, prep., {Carouse}, {Utter}, a.] In its… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Out at — Out Out (out), adv. [OE. out, ut, oute, ute, AS. [=u]t, and [=u]te, [=u]tan, fr. [=u]t; akin to D. uit, OS. [=u]t, G. aus, OHG. [=u]z, Icel. [=u]t, Sw. ut, Dan. ud, Goth. ut, Skr. ud. [root]198. Cf. {About}, {But}, prep., {Carouse}, {Utter}, a.]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Out from — Out Out (out), adv. [OE. out, ut, oute, ute, AS. [=u]t, and [=u]te, [=u]tan, fr. [=u]t; akin to D. uit, OS. [=u]t, G. aus, OHG. [=u]z, Icel. [=u]t, Sw. ut, Dan. ud, Goth. ut, Skr. ud. [root]198. Cf. {About}, {But}, prep., {Carouse}, {Utter}, a.]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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