Countenance

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:

  • Countenance — may refer to: Human physical appearance Countenance divine, or divine countenance, a reference to the literal or metaphorical face of God Anglo Soviet invasion of Iran, called Operation Countenance, the 1941 invasion of Iran by the United Kingdom …   Wikipedia

  • 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

  • countenance — [n1] appearance, usually of the face aspect, biscuit*, cast, demeanor, expression, face, features, gills*, kisser*, look, looks, map*, mask, mien, mug*, phizog*, physiognomy, poker face*, potato*, puss*, visage; concepts 716,718 countenance [n2]… …   New thesaurus

  • Countenance — Coun te*nance (koun t? nans), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Countenanced} ( nanst); p. pr. & vb. n. {Countenancing}.] 1. To encourage; to favor; to approve; to aid; to abet. [1913 Webster] This conceit, though countenanced by learned men, is not made out… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • countenance — n *face, visage, physiognomy, mug, puss countenance vb *favor, encourage Analogous words: *approve, sanction, endorse: *commend, applaud: *support, uphold, champion, ba …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • countenance — I verb abet, accede to, accredit, acquiesce in, adjust oneself to, advocate, affirm, agree to, aid, allow, approbare, approbate, approve, approve of, assent to, assist, back, be in favor of, charter, commend, concur in, confirm, consent to,… …   Law dictionary

  • countenance — (n.) mid 13c., from O.Fr. contenance demeanor, bearing, conduct, from L. continentia restraint, abstemiousness, moderation, lit. way one contains oneself, from continentem, prp. of continere (see CONTAIN (Cf. contain)). Meaning evolving M.E. from …   Etymology dictionary

  • countenance — n. & v. n. 1 a the face. b the facial expression. 2 composure. 3 moral support. v.tr. 1 give approval to (an act etc.) (cannot countenance this breach of the rules). 2 (often foll. by in) encourage (a person or a practice). Phrases and idioms:… …   Useful english dictionary

  • countenance — [[t]ka͟ʊntɪnəns[/t]] countenances, countenancing, countenanced 1) VERB: usu with brd neg If someone will not countenance something, they do not agree with it and will not allow it to happen. [FORMAL] [V n] Jake would not countenance Janis s… …   English dictionary

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