countenance

American  

[koun-tn-uhns] / 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.

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verb (used with object)

countenanced, countenancing

1. to permit or tolerate.

   You should not have countenanced his rudeness.

2. to approve, support, or encourage.

idioms

1. out of countenance, visibly disconcerted; abashed.

   He was somewhat out of countenance at the prospect of an apology.

countenance British  

/ 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 )

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verb

1. to support or encourage; sanction

2. to tolerate; endure

Related Words

See face.

Other Word Forms

• countenancer noun
• uncountenanced adjective
• undercountenance noun

Etymology

Origin of countenance

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English cuntenaunce “behavior, bearing, self-control,” from Anglo-French cuntena(u)nce, Old French contenance, from Medieval Latin “way of living, demeanor,” from Latin continentia “self-control, restraint”; continence

Related Words

• appearance
• demeanor
• mien
• visage