Nearby Words
noun, plural -mies.
1.
the face or countenance, especially when considered as an index to the character: a fierce physiognomy.
2.
Also called anthroposcopy. the art of determining character or personal characteristics from the form or features of the body, especially of the face.
3.
the outward appearance of anything, taken as offering some insight into its character: the physiognomy of a nation.
Origin:
1350–1400; earlier phisognomie, phisiognomie, late Middle English phisonomie < Medieval Latin physionomia, physonomia < Late Greek physiognōmía, syncopated variant of Greek physiognōmonía art of judging a person by his features (see physio-, gnomon, -y3); replacing Middle English fisenamie, fisnamie, fisnomie < Middle French fisonomie < Medieval Latin, as above; compare phiz
1350–1400; earlier phisognomie, phisiognomie, late Middle English phisonomie < Medieval Latin physionomia, physonomia < Late Greek physiognōmía, syncopated variant of Greek physiognōmonía art of judging a person by his features (see physio-, gnomon, -y3); replacing Middle English fisenamie, fisnamie, fisnomie < Middle French fisonomie < Medieval Latin, as above; compare phiz
Related forms
phys·i·og·nom·ic 
[fiz-ee-og-nom-ik, ‐ee-uh-nom‐] , phys·i·og·nom·i·cal, phys·i·og·no·mon·ic [fiz-ee-og-nuh-mon-ik, ‐on-uh‐] , phys·i·og·no·mon·i·cal, adjective
[fiz-ee-og-nom-ik, ‐ee-uh-nom‐] , phys·i·og·nom·i·cal, phys·i·og·no·mon·ic [fiz-ee-og-nuh-mon-ik, ‐on-uh‐] , phys·i·og·no·mon·i·cal, adjective phys·i·og·nom·i·cal·ly, phys·i·og·no·mon·i·cal·ly, adverb
phys·i·og·no·mist, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Physiognomical
is always a great word to know.
So is zedonk. Does it mean:
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
physiognomy
late 14c., "art of judging characters from facial features," from L.L. physiognomia, from Gk. physiognomia "the judging of a person's nature by his features," from physio-, comb. form of physis "nature" (see physic) + gnomon (gen. gnomonos) "judge, indicator."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
physiognomy phys·i·og·no·my (fĭz'ē-ŏg'nə-mē, -ŏn'ə-mē)
n.
Facial features, especially when considered as an indicator of character or as a factor in diagnosis.
Estimation of one's character and mental qualities by a study of the face and general bodily carriage.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
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