visage

[viz-ij]

noun

1. the face, usually with reference to shape, features, expression, etc.; countenance.

2. aspect; appearance.

visage

/ ˈvɪzɪdʒ /

noun

1. face or countenance

2. appearance; aspect

Other Word Forms

• visaged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of visage¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Old French, equivalent to vis “face” (from Latin vīsus “sight, appearance” ( Vulgar Latin: “face”), noun use of masculine past participle of vidēre “to see”) + -age -age. See wit ² ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of visage¹

C13: from Old French: aspect, from vis face, from Latin vīsus appearance, from vidēre to see

Synonym Study

See face.

Example Sentences

I see the visage of Garden Autumn flicker into another Autumn, holding up her sword and shaking me.

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Lincoln’s visage took over the front of the coin in 1909 as the country celebrated the 100th anniversary of his birth.

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The boy’s face is at once peaceful and tired, his innocence shining through while the injustices of the world weigh heavy on his visage.

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The services of a life-preserving, ego-boosting retinue of intimidating protectors — picture dark glasses, earpiece, stern visage — were cited by more than one Harris associate, past and present, as a factor in her deliberations.

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But Mitchell, whose bushy beard and joking personality complement a perpetually smiling visage, turned serious when explaining the end of his career.

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Related Words

• countenance