countenance
[koun-tn-uh ns]
- appearance, especially the look or expression of the face: a sad countenance.
- the face; visage.
- calm facial expression; composure.
- approval or favor; encouragement; moral support.
- Obsolete. bearing; behavior.
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- to permit or tolerate: You should not have countenanced his rudeness.
- to approve, support, or encourage.
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- out of countenance, visibly disconcerted; abashed: He was somewhat out of countenance at the prospect of an apology.
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Origin of countenance
1250–1300; Middle English cuntenaunce behavior, bearing, self-control < Anglo-French cuntena(u)nce, Old French contenance < Latin continentia; see continence
Synonyms
See more synonyms for countenance on Thesaurus.com2. See face.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for countenance
Contemporary Examples
That kind of smart person cannot countenance the idea of obscurity as a fate.
The larger of the two government parties, Fine Gael, has said it will not countenance legal abortion in Ireland.
His opponent in the American election, Mitt Romney, has at times seemed more willing to countenance a unilateral Israeli strike.
I cannot countenance any more breathless, fanzine-style chronicling of her attire.
He relied on manner, attitude, and countenance to represent a subject's legacy.
Historical Examples
They were both silent for a few moments; and Eudora's countenance was troubled.
PhilotheaLydia Maria Child
He gazed on the bright landscape, as if it had been the countenance of a friend.
PhilotheaLydia Maria Child
Stern displeasure was visible in the countenance of the great sculptor.
PhilotheaLydia Maria Child
"Dearest Philothea, I scarcely know his countenance," replied the maiden.
PhilotheaLydia Maria Child
"His countenance and his voice troubled me, like the presence of evil," answered Philothea.
PhilotheaLydia Maria Child
countenance
- 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)
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- to support or encourage; sanction
- to tolerate; endure
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Word Origin
C13: from Old French contenance mien, behaviour, from Latin continentia restraint, control; see contain
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for countenance
n.
mid-13c., from Old French contenance "demeanor, bearing, conduct," from Latin continentia "restraint, abstemiousness, moderation," literally "way one contains oneself," from continentem, present participle of continere (see contain). Meaning evolving Middle English from "appearance" to "facial expression betraying a state of mind," to "face" itself (late 14c.).
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v.
late 15c., "to behave or act," from countenance (n.). Sense of "to favor, patronize" is from 1560s, from notion of "to look upon with sanction or smiles." Related: Countenanced; countenancing.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper