countenance
1coun·te·nance
noun \ˈkau̇n-tən-ən(t)s, ˈkau̇nt-nən(t)s\Definition of COUNTENANCE
2
5
: bearing or expression that offers approval or sanction : moral support
Examples of COUNTENANCE
- The photograph showed his somber countenance.
- <a pleasant countenance that puts visitors at ease>
- … his white countenance was rendered eerie by the redness of the sagging lids below his eyes … —John Updike, The Afterlife, 1994
- You could see it in his frame and deportment … a beaming countenance, expansive salutations, a warm handshake … —Simon Schama, Granta, Autumn 1990
- All, all are kind to me but their tones fall strangely on my ear & their countenances meet mine not like home faces … —Emily Dickinson, 17 Feb. 1848, in Selected Letters, (1914) 1986
- Before receiving him, Henry had so possessed himself that no one could guess from his countenance with what sentiments he remembered the young king. —Amy Kelly, Eleanor of Aquitaine and the Four Kings, 1950
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Origin of COUNTENANCE
Middle English contenance, from Anglo-French cuntenance, contenance, from Medieval Latin continentia, from Latin, restraint, from continent-, continens, present participle of continēre to hold together — more at contain
First Known Use: 13th century
Related to COUNTENANCE
- Synonyms
- cast, look, expression, face, visage
- Antonyms
- agitation, discomposure, perturbation
2coun·te·nance
transitive verb \ˈkau̇n-tən-ən(t)s, ˈkau̇nt-nən(t)s\coun·te·nancedcoun·te·nanc·ing
Definition of COUNTENANCE
: to extend approval or toleration to : sanction <refused to countenance any changes in the policy>
— coun·te·nanc·er noun
Examples of COUNTENANCE
- <I don't countenance such behavior in children of any age.>
- <countenanced the delays and inconveniences of traveling by air with good grace>
- But there are only two logical choices … . If you can't countenance the first, you have to accept the second. —Anna Quindlen, Newsweek, 6 Aug. 2007
- … the constellation of family emotions—love, obedience, rivalry, repression—can turn a family into a moral system of its own in which even the greatest horrors can be countenanced in the name of loyalty and love … —Scott Turow, Times Literary Supplement, 15 Mar. 1991
- They disapproved of the marriage, and could not be expected to countenance it. —Thomas Hardy, Tess of the d'Urbervilles, 1891
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Origin of COUNTENANCE
(see 1countenance)
First Known Use: 1568
Related to COUNTENANCE
- Synonyms
- accept, care (for), approve (of), favor, OK (or okay), subscribe (to)
- Antonyms
- disapprove (of), discountenance, disfavor, frown (on or upon)
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