countenance
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.
to permit or tolerate: You should not have countenanced his rudeness.
to approve, support, or encourage.
Idioms about countenance
out of countenance, visibly disconcerted; abashed: He was somewhat out of countenance at the prospect of an apology.
Origin of countenance
1synonym study For countenance
word story For countenance
The Old French noun ultimately comes from the Latin noun continentia “self-control, restraint,” a derivation of the verb continēre “to hold together, keep together, keep under control.”
Other words from countenance
- coun·te·nanc·er, noun
- un·coun·te·nanced, adjective
- un·der·coun·te·nance, noun
Words Nearby countenance
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use countenance in a sentence
Standing centerstage is Douglass with a serious but handsome countenance, that distinctive side part, dark coat and vest.
New musical highlights Frederick Douglass but falls short | Patrick Folliard | August 12, 2022 | Washington BladeDaisey’s one-night-only show was an account of a year of living pandemically, recounted entertainingly in his signature countenance of enlightened outrage.
FIFA, not an organization to walk away from money, would scarcely countenance a situation where the money walks away from it.
Let's Take Away the 2018 World Cup from Putin's Russia | Tunku Varadarajan | June 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThat kind of smart person cannot countenance the idea of obscurity as a fate.
From Smarm To Snark, We’re All Soldiers In The War On Obscurity | James Poulos | December 7, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTHe dropped the toilet lid with a slam, trying to hide his disdain behind a professional countenance.
Cruise Ships: They’re Just Floating Bathrooms | Brian David Bruns | February 13, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
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.
Olmert Blasts Bibi on Iran, Relationship with Obama | Dan Ephron | November 6, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTAt the mention of the Merrill Horse, Poindexter's countenance took on a demoniac expression.
The Courier of the Ozarks | Byron A. DunnWhich latter circumstance he begged Mr. Perker to note, with a glowing countenance and many marks of indignation.
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, v. 2(of 2) | Charles DickensA smile of beatitude spread over his enormous countenance during the process.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James WillsThe beauty of a woman cheereth the countenance of her husband, and a man desireth nothing more.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | VariousWharton uttered this with a peculiar force of voice, and aweful expression in his countenance.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane Porter
British Dictionary definitions for countenance
/ (ˈkaʊntɪnəns) /
the face, esp when considered as expressing a person's character or mood: a pleasant countenance
support or encouragement; sanction
composure; self-control (esp in the phrases keep or lose one's countenance; out of countenance)
to support or encourage; sanction
to tolerate; endure
Origin of countenance
1Derived forms of countenance
- countenancer, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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