countenance

American  

[koun-tn-uhns] / ˈkaʊn tn əns /

noun

1. appearance, especially the look or expression of the face.

   a sad countenance.

2. the face; visage.

3. calm facial expression; composure.

4. approval or favor; encouragement; moral support.

5. Obsolete. bearing; behavior.

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verb (used with object)

countenanced, countenancing

1. to permit or tolerate.

   You should not have countenanced his rudeness.

2. to approve, support, or encourage.

idioms

1. out of countenance, visibly disconcerted; abashed.

   He was somewhat out of countenance at the prospect of an apology.

countenance British  

/ ˈkaʊntɪnəns /

noun

1. the face, esp when considered as expressing a person's character or mood

   a pleasant countenance

2. support or encouragement; sanction

3. composure; self-control (esp in the phrases keep or lose one's countenance; out of countenance )

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verb

1. to support or encourage; sanction

2. to tolerate; endure

Related Words

See face.

Other Word Forms

• countenancer noun
• uncountenanced adjective
• undercountenance noun

Etymology

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”; continence

Example Sentences

His Marat has the “seraphic countenance” and clear skin, Mr. Crow tells us, of a “secular martyr.”

From The Wall Street Journal

For “what else has a council ever been,” the pope asked, “but a renewal of this meeting with the countenance of the risen Christ?”

From The Wall Street Journal

The aim, colleges and advisers explain, is to probe how well students can countenance other viewpoints.

From The Wall Street Journal

The wolf swept its glowing eyes ’round the room and took in each terrified countenance.

From Literature

The goal is to immerse yourself as the sun rises, its immense fiery countenance parallel along the horizon to your shivering little head.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• appearance
• demeanor
• mien
• visage