physiognomy

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

noun, plural phys·i·og·no·mies.

the face or countenance, especially when considered as an index to the character: a fierce physiognomy.
Also called anthroposcopy. the art of determining character or personal characteristics from the form or features of the body, especially of the face.
the outward appearance of anything, taken as offering some insight into its character: the physiognomy of a nation.

Origin of physiognomy

1350–1400; earlier phisognomie, phisiognomie, late Middle English phisonomie < Medieval Latin physionomia, physonomia < Late Greek physiognōmía, syncopated variant of Greek physiognōmonía art of judging a person by his features (see physio-, gnomon, -y3); replacing Middle English fisenamie, fisnamie, fisnomie < Middle French fisonomie < Medieval Latin, as above; cf. phiz

OTHER WORDS FROM physiognomy

phys·i·og·nom·ic [fiz-ee-og-nom-ik, ‐ee-uh-nom‐] /ˌfɪz i ɒgˈnɒm ɪk, ‐i əˈnɒm‐/, phys·i·og·nom·i·cal, phys·i·og·no·mon·ic [fiz-ee-og-nuh-mon-ik, ‐on-uh‐] /ˌfɪz iˌɒg nəˈmɒn ɪk, ‐ˌɒn ə‐/, phys·i·og·no·mon·i·cal, adjective phys·i·og·nom·i·cal·ly, phys·i·og·no·mon·i·cal·ly, adverb phys·i·og·no·mist, noun

Example sentences from the Web for physiognomies

British Dictionary definitions for physiognomies

physiognomy
/ (ˌfɪzɪˈɒnəmɪ) /

noun

a person's features or characteristic expression considered as an indication of personality
the art or practice of judging character from facial features
the outward appearance of something, esp the physical characteristics of a geographical region

Derived forms of physiognomy

physiognomic (ˌfɪzɪəˈnɒmɪk) or physiognomical, adjective physiognomically, adverb physiognomist, noun

Word Origin for physiognomy

C14: from Old French phisonomie, via Medieval Latin, from Late Greek phusiognōmia, erroneous for Greek phusiognōmonia, from phusis nature + gnōmōn judge

Medical definitions for physiognomies

physiognomy
[ fĭz′ē-ŏgnə-mē, -ŏnə-mē ]

n.

Facial features, especially when considered as an indicator of character or as a factor in diagnosis.
Estimation of one's character and mental qualities by a study of the face and general bodily carriage.