Browse Nearby Entries


5 dictionary results for: countenance
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
coun·te·nance
[koun-tn-uh
ns] Pronunciation Key noun, verb, -nanced, -nanc·ing.
—Related forms
[koun-tn-uh
ns] Pronunciation Key noun, verb, -nanced, -nanc·ing. –noun
–verb (used with object)
—Idiom
| 1. | appearance, esp. 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. |
| 6. | to permit or tolerate: You should not have countenanced his rudeness. |
| 7. | to approve, support, or encourage. |
| 8. | out of countenance, visibly disconcerted; abashed: He was somewhat out of countenance at the prospect of an apology. |
[Origin: 1250–1300; ME cuntenaunce behavior, bearing, self-control < AF cuntena(u)nce, OF contenance < L continentia; see continence
]
] —Related forms
coun·te·nanc·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| coun·te·nance
(koun'tə-nəns) Pronunciation Key
n.
tr.v. coun·te·nanced, coun·te·nanc·ing, coun·te·nanc·es To give sanction or support to; tolerate or approve: The college administration will not countenance cheating. [Middle English contenaunce, from Old French, from contenir, to behave; see contain.] coun'te·nanc·er n. |
(Download Now or Buy the Book)
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
countenance
countenance
c.1250, from O.Fr. "demeanor, bearing, conduct," from L. continentia "restraint," lit. "way one contains oneself," from continere (see contain). Meaning evolving M.E. from "appearance" to "facial expression betraying a state of mind," to "face" itself (1393). The verb "to favor, patronize" is from 1568, from notion of "to look upon with sanction or smiles."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
| countenance | |
noun | |
| 1. | the appearance conveyed by a person's face; "a pleasant countenance"; "a stern visage" |
| 2. | formal and explicit approval; "a Democrat usually gets the union's endorsement" [syn: sanction] |
| 3. | the human face ('kisser' and 'smiler' and 'mug' are informal terms for 'face' and 'phiz' is British) |
verb | |
| 1. | 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" [syn: permit] [ant: disallow] |
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Countenance
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.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Copyright © 2008, Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.











