physiognomy
[ fiz-ee-og-nuh-mee, -on-uh-mee ]
/ ˌfɪz iˈɒg nə mi, -ˈɒn ə mi /
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noun, plural phys·i·og·no·mies.
the face or countenance, especially when considered as an index to the character: a fierce physiognomy.
Also called anthroposcopy. the art of determining character or personal characteristics from the form or features of the body, especially of the face.
the outward appearance of anything, taken as offering some insight into its character: the physiognomy of a nation.
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Origin of physiognomy
1350–1400; earlier phisognomie, phisiognomie,late Middle English phisonomie<Medieval Latin physionomia, physonomia<Late Greek physiognōmía, syncopated variant of Greek physiognōmonía art of judging a person by his features (see physio-, gnomon, -y3); replacing Middle English fisenamie, fisnamie, fisnomie<Middle French fisonomie<Medieval Latin, as above; cf. phiz
OTHER WORDS FROM physiognomy
phys·i·og·nom·ic [fiz-ee-og-nom-ik, ‐ee-uh-nom‐], /ˌfɪz i ɒgˈnɒm ɪk, ‐i əˈnɒm‐/, phys·i·og·nom·i·cal, phys·i·og·no·mon·ic [fiz-ee-og-nuh-mon-ik, ‐on-uh‐], /ˌfɪz iˌɒg nəˈmɒn ɪk, ‐ˌɒn ə‐/, phys·i·og·no·mon·i·cal, adjectivephys·i·og·nom·i·cal·ly, phys·i·og·no·mon·i·cal·ly, adverbphys·i·og·no·mist, nounDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use physiognomy in a sentence
The amount of study given to the hand renders it probable that palmistry may have considerable value as a physiognomic science.
Marie learned while very young to reproduce with marvelous skill what were called the attitudes and the physiognomic changes.
Delsarte System of Oratory|VariousWas I not very possibly myself, on this ground of physiognomic congruity, more physiognomic than anyone else?
The Sacred Fount|Henry JamesAct, and manner of doing the act, are creditably of a piece with Friedrich Wilhelm; physiognomic of the rugged veracious man.
History Of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Volume IV. (of XXI.)|Thomas Carlyle
British Dictionary definitions for physiognomy
physiognomy
/ (ˌfɪzɪˈɒnəmɪ) /
noun
a person's features or characteristic expression considered as an indication of personality
the art or practice of judging character from facial features
the outward appearance of something, esp the physical characteristics of a geographical region
Derived forms of physiognomy
physiognomic (ˌfɪzɪəˈnɒmɪk) or physiognomical, adjectivephysiognomically, adverbphysiognomist, nounWord Origin for physiognomy
C14: from Old French phisonomie, via Medieval Latin, from Late Greek phusiognōmia, erroneous for Greek phusiognōmonia, from phusis nature + gnōmōn judge
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Medical definitions for physiognomy
physiognomy
[ fĭz′ē-ŏg′nə-mē, -ŏn′ə-mē ]
n.
Facial features, especially when considered as an indicator of character or as a factor in diagnosis.
Estimation of one's character and mental qualities by a study of the face and general bodily carriage.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.