Countenance
[koun-tn-uh ns] /ˈkaʊn tn əns/
noun
1.
appearance, especially the look or expression of the face:
a sad countenance.
2.
the face; visage.
3.
calm facial expression; composure.
4.
approval or favor; encouragement; moral support.
5.
Obsolete. bearing; behavior.
verb (used with object), countenanced, countenancing.
6.
to permit or tolerate:
You should not have countenanced his rudeness.
7.
to approve, support, or encourage.
Idioms
8.
out of countenance, visibly disconcerted; abashed:
He was somewhat out of countenance at the prospect of an apology.
/ˈkaʊntɪnəns/
noun
1.
the face, esp when considered as expressing a person’s character or mood: a pleasant countenance
2.
support or encouragement; sanction
3.
composure; self-control (esp in the phrases keep or lose one’s countenance; out of countenance)
verb (transitive)
4.
to support or encourage; sanction
5.
to tolerate; endure
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.).
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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[koun-tn-uh ns] /ˈkaʊn tn əns/ noun 1. appearance, especially the look or expression of the face: a sad countenance. 2. the face; visage. 3. calm facial expression; composure. 4. approval or favor; encouragement; moral support. 5. Obsolete. bearing; behavior. verb (used with object), countenanced, countenancing. 6. to permit or tolerate: You should not have countenanced […]
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[koun-tn-uh ns] /ˈkaʊn tn əns/ noun 1. appearance, especially the look or expression of the face: a sad countenance. 2. the face; visage. 3. calm facial expression; composure. 4. approval or favor; encouragement; moral support. 5. Obsolete. bearing; behavior. verb (used with object), countenanced, countenancing. 6. to permit or tolerate: You should not have countenanced […]
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