COUNTENANCE

countenance, visage

(noun) the appearance conveyed by a person’s face; “a pleasant countenance”; “a stern visage”

countenance, physiognomy, phiz, visage, kisser, smiler, mug

(noun) the human face (‘kisser’ and ‘smiler’ and ‘mug’ are informal terms for ‘face’ and ‘phiz’ is British)

sanction, countenance, endorsement, indorsement, warrant, imprimatur

(noun) formal and explicit approval; “a Democrat usually gets the union’s endorsement”

permit, allow, let, countenance

(verb) consent to, give permission; “She permitted her son to visit her estranged husband”; “I won’t let the police search her basement”; “I cannot allow you to see your exam”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

countenance (countable and uncountable, plural countenances)

Appearance, especially the features and expression of the face.

Favour; support; encouragement.

(obsolete) Superficial appearance; show; pretense.

Calm facial expression, composure, self-control.

Synonyms

• see also countenance

Verb

countenance (third-person singular simple present countenances, present participle countenancing, simple past and past participle countenanced)

(transitive) To tolerate, support, sanction, patronise or approve of something.

Synonyms

• (tolerate, support): approve, sanction, support, tolerate

Source: Wiktionary

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Coun"te*nance (koun"t-nans), n. Etym: [OE. contenance, countenaunce, demeanor, composure, F. contenance demeanor, fr. L. continentia continence, LL. also, demeanor, fr. L. continere to hold together, repress, contain. See Contain, and cf. Continence.]

1. Appearance or expression of the face; look; aspect; mien. So spake the Son, and into terror changed His countenance. Milton.

2. The face; the features. In countenance somewhat doth resemble you. Shak.

3. Approving or encouraging aspect of face; hence, favor, good will, support; aid; encouragement. Thou hast made him . . . glad with thy countenance. Ps. xxi. 6. This is the magistrate's peculiar province, to give countenance to piety and virtue, and to rebuke vice. Atterbury.

4. Superficial appearance; show; pretense. [Obs.] The election being done, he made countenance of great discontent thereat. Ascham. In countenance, in an assured condition or aspect; free from shame or dismay. "It puts the learned in countenance, and gives them a place among the fashionable part of mankind." Addison.

– Out of countenance, not bold or assured; confounded; abashed. "Their best friends were out of countenance, because they found that the imputations . . . were well grounded." Clarendon.

– To keep the countenance, to preserve a composed or natural look, undisturbed by passion or emotion. Swift.

Coun"te*nance (koun"t-nans), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Countenanced (- nanst); p. pr. & vb. n. Countenancing.]

1. To encourage; to favor; to approve; to aid; to abet. This conceit, though countenanced by learned men, is not made out either by experience or reason. Sir T. Browne. Error supports custom, custom countenances error. Milton.

2. To make a show of; to pretend. [Obs.] Which to these ladies love did countenance. Spenser.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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