countenance
[ koun-tn-uhns ]
/ ˈkaʊn tn əns /
noun
verb (used with object), coun·te·nanced, coun·te·nanc·ing.
to permit or tolerate: You should not have countenanced his rudeness.
to approve, support, or encourage.
Idioms for countenance
out of countenance,
visibly disconcerted; abashed: He was somewhat out of countenance at the prospect of an apology.
Origin of countenance
1250–1300; Middle English
cuntenaunce behavior, bearing, self-control < Anglo-French
cuntena(
u)
nce, Old French
contenance < Latin
continentia; see
continence
synonym study for countenance
2. See
face.
historical usage of countenance
The English noun
countenance comes from Middle English from Old French
contenance, countenance “behavior, bearing.” Its original meaning in the 13th century came directly from the Old French. Later, in the 14th century, this developed into the current sense “the look or expression on a person’s face.”
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.”
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, nounWords nearby countenance
Example sentences from the Web for countenance
British Dictionary definitions for countenance
countenance
/ (ˈkaʊntɪnəns) /
noun
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)
verb (tr)
to support or encourage; sanction
to tolerate; endure
Derived forms of countenance
countenancer, nounWord Origin for countenance
C13: from Old French
contenance mien, behaviour, from Latin
continentia restraint, control; see
contain