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discountenance
[ dis-koun-tn-uhns ]
/ dɪsˈkaʊn tn əns /
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verb (used with object), dis·coun·te·nanced, dis·coun·te·nanc·ing.
to disconcert, embarrass, or abash: With his composure, he survived every attempt to discountenance him.
to show disapproval of: The teachers discountenanced smoking by the students.
noun
disapproval; disapprobation.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of discountenance
First recorded in 1570–80; dis-1 + countenance
OTHER WORDS FROM discountenance
dis·coun·te·nanc·er, nounWords nearby discountenance
Discordia, discotheque, discount, discount broker, discounted cash flow, discountenance, discounter, discount house, discount market, discount rate, discount store
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use discountenance in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for discountenance
discountenance
/ (dɪsˈkaʊntɪnəns) /
verb (tr)
to make ashamed or confused
to disapprove of
noun
disapproval
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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