Physiognomy

[fiz-ee-og-nuh-mee, -on-uh-mee] /ˌfɪz iˈɒg nə mi, -ˈɒn ə mi/

noun, plural physiognomies.
1.
the face or countenance, especially when considered as an index to the character:
a fierce physiognomy.
2.
Also called anthroposcopy. the art of determining character or personal characteristics from the form or features of the body, especially of the face.
3.
the outward appearance of anything, taken as offering some insight into its character:
the physiognomy of a nation.
/ˌfɪzɪˈɒnəmɪ/
noun
1.
a person’s features or characteristic expression considered as an indication of personality
2.
the art or practice of judging character from facial features
3.
the outward appearance of something, esp the physical characteristics of a geographical region
n.

late 14c., “art of judging characters from facial features,” from Old French phizonomie and directly from Late Latin physiognomia, from Greek physiognomia “the judging of a person’s nature by his features,” from physio- (see physio-) + gnomon (genitive gnomonos) “judge, indicator” (see gnomon). Meaning “face, countenance, features” is from c.1400. Related: Physiognomical.

physiognomy phys·i·og·no·my (fĭz’ē-ŏg’nə-mē, -ŏn’ə-mē)
n.