COUNTENANCE


Meaning of COUNTENANCE in English

I. ˈkau̇nt( ə )nən(t)s, -tən- noun

( -s )

Etymology: Middle English countenaunce, from Middle French contenance behavior, demeanor, from Medieval Latin continentia, from Latin, continence, restraint, from continent-, continens (present participle of continēre to hold together, restrain, contain) + -ia -y — more at contain

1. obsolete

a. : bearing , demeanor

b. : behavior , comportment

c. : bearing or behavior as indicative of goodwill or ill will

2.

a. : calm expression : facial expression indicating composure

he kept his countenance so well that he had the air of having made a finished speech — G.B.Shaw

also : mental composure

startled and also somewhat out of countenance — Arnold Bennett

b. : the expressive appearance of one's face : look , expression

a countenance which expressed both good humor and intelligence — Sir Walter Scott

3. archaic

a. : aspect , semblance

b.

(1) : a mere appearance or show

(2) : a feigned or assumed appearance : pretense

4. : face , visage ; especially : the face as an indication of mood, emotion, or character

good-looking and gentlemanlike, he had a pleasant countenance — Jane Austen

5. archaic : the appearances that one maintains : standing , dignity

6.

a. obsolete : credit , esteem

b. : appearance of favor : bearing or expression appearing or calculated to approve or encourage : sanction : moral support : goodwill

his having had no support or countenance in accepted tradition — F.R.Leavis

give the hussy no countenance — S.E.Morison & H.S.Commager

c. obsolete : confidence arising from favor and encouragement : trust

Synonyms: see face

II. transitive verb

( -ed/-ing/-s )

Etymology: Middle French contenancer, from contenance, n.

: to give countenance to : extend approval or toleration to : encourage , sanction , support , favor , condone

asked his family to countenance her

although militant, he never countenanced violence

Synonyms: see favor

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.