countenance
[ koun-tn-uhns ]
/ ˈkaʊn tn əns /
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noun
verb (used with object), coun·te·nanced, coun·te·nanc·ing.
to permit or tolerate: You should not have countenanced his rudeness.
to approve, support, or encourage.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”
Are you aware how often people swap around “their,” “there,” and “they’re”? Prove you have more than a fair grasp over these commonly confused words.
Question 1 of 7
Which one of these commonly confused words can act as an adverb or a pronoun?
Idioms for countenance
out of countenance, visibly disconcerted; abashed: He was somewhat out of countenance at the prospect of an apology.
Origin of countenance
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English cuntenaunce “behavior, bearing, self-control,” from Anglo-French cuntena(u)nce, Old French contenance, from Medieval Latin “way of living, demeanor,” from Latin continentia “self-control, restraint”; see continence
synonym study for countenance
2. See face.
historical usage of countenance
The English noun countenance comes from Middle English from Old French contenance, countenance “behavior, bearing.” Its original meaning in the 13th century came directly from the Old French. Later, in the 14th century, this developed into the current sense “the look or expression on a person’s face.”
The Old French noun ultimately comes from the Latin noun continentia “self-control, restraint,” a derivation of the verb continēre “to hold together, keep together, keep under control.”
The Old French noun ultimately comes from the Latin noun continentia “self-control, restraint,” a derivation of the verb continēre “to hold together, keep together, keep under control.”
OTHER WORDS FROM countenance
coun·te·nanc·er, nounun·coun·te·nanced, adjectiveun·der·coun·te·nance, nounWords nearby countenance
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for countenance
British Dictionary definitions for countenance
countenance
/ (ˈkaʊntɪnəns) /
noun
the face, esp when considered as expressing a person's character or mooda pleasant countenance
support or encouragement; sanction
composure; self-control (esp in the phrases keep or lose one's countenance; out of countenance)
verb (tr)
to support or encourage; sanction
to tolerate; endure
Derived forms of countenance
countenancer, nounWord Origin for countenance
C13: from Old French contenance mien, behaviour, from Latin continentia restraint, control; see contain
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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