i Register
In some senses, countenance is marked as obsolete. Watch for register when choosing this word.
countenance
/ˈkaʊn.tə.nəns/
noun 4verb 1
Collocations
5ADJ.
angry, beautiful, beneath, compunctious, easy, evil, fearsome, noble
VERB + COUNTENANCE
changed, flames, keep, refused, won't
COUNTENANCE + NOUN
news, nobody, suggestion, terrorism
PREP.
out, than, with
ADV.
comely
Definitions
noun
1
Appearance, especially the features and expression of the face.
How Cownterfet Cowntenaunce of the new get / With Crafty Conueyauance dothe smater and flater, / And Cloked Collucyoun is brought in to clater / With Courtely Abusyoun; […]
But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
2
Favour; support; encouragement.
Thou hast made him[…]glad with thy countenance.
This is the Magiſtrate's peculiar Province, to give Countenance to Piety and Virtue, and to rebuke Vice and Prophaneneſs; […]
3
Superficial appearance; show; pretense.
The election being done, he made countenance of great discontent thereat.
4
Calm facial expression, composure, self-control.
verb
1
To tolerate, support, sanction, patronise or approve of something.
The cruel punishment was countenanced by the government, although it was not officially legal.
I won't countenance other than compunctious semblances for such a grievous blunder.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
noun — the appearance conveyed by a person's face
- visage
noun — the human face (`kisser' and `smiler' and `mug' are informal
- physiognomy
- phiz
- visage
- kisser
- smiler
- mug
noun — formal and explicit approval
- sanction
- endorsement
- indorsement
- warrant
- imprimatur
Idioms & Phrases
Example Bank
601
How Cownterfet Cowntenaunce of the new get / With Crafty Conueyauance dothe smater and flater, / And Cloked Collucyoun is brought in to clater / With Courtely Abusyoun; […]
Wiktionary02
But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
Wiktionary03
It was as if the countenance were for a brief while allowed to wear the likeness of the peaceful and spiritual world whither the soul had departed.
Wiktionary04
The cruel punishment was countenanced by the government, although it was not officially legal.
Wiktionary05
I won't countenance other than compunctious semblances for such a grievous blunder.
Wiktionary06
For the Defence was not actually countenanced by the Law, but only tolerated, and there were differences of opinion even on that point, whether the Law could be interpreted to admit such tolerances at
WiktionaryUsage Notes
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