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Definition of physiognomy - 6 dictionary results

phys⋅i⋅og⋅no⋅my

  [fiz-ee-og-nuh-mee, -on-uh-mee]
Use physiognomy in a Sentence
–noun, plural -mies.
1. the face or countenance, esp. 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, esp. 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 ME phisonomie < ML physionomia, physonomia < LGk physiognōmía, syncopated var. of Gk physiognōmonía art of judging a person by his features (see physio-, gnomon, -y 3 ); r. ME fisenamie, fisnamie, fisnomie < MF fisonomie < ML, as above; cf. 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
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. 2009.
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phys·i·og·no·my   (fĭz'ē-ŏg'nə-mē, -ŏn'ə-mē)   
n.   pl. phys·i·og·no·mies

    1. The art of judging human character from facial features.

    2. Divination based on facial features.

    3. Facial features, especially when regarded as revealing character.

    4. Aspect and character of an inanimate or abstract entity: the physiognomy of New England.

    1. Facial features, especially when regarded as revealing character.

    2. Aspect and character of an inanimate or abstract entity: the physiognomy of New England.


[Middle English phisonomie, from Old French phisionomie, from Late Latin physiognōmia, from Greek phusiognōmiā, variant of phusiognōmoniā : phusio-, physio- + gnōmōn, gnōmon-, interpreter; see gnō- in Indo-European roots.]
phys'i·og·nom'ic (-ŏg-nŏm'ĭk, -ə-nŏm'ĭk), phys'i·og·nom'i·cal (-ĭ-kəl) adj., phys'i·og·nom'i·cal·ly adv., phys'i·og'no·mist n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

physiognomy 
1390, "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, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: phys·i·og·no·my
Pronunciation: "fiz-E-'ä(g)-n&-mE
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -mies
1 : the art of discovering temperament and character from outward appearance
2 : the facial features held to show qualities of mind or character by theirconfiguration or expression
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

physiognomy phys·i·og·no·my (fĭz'ē-ŏg'nə-mē, -ŏn'ə-mē)
n.

  1. Facial features, especially when considered as an indicator of character or as a factor in diagnosis.

  2. 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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Encyclopedia

physiognomy

the study of the systematic correspondence of psychological characteristics to facial features or body structure. Because most efforts to specify such relationships have been discredited, physiognomy sometimes connotes pseudoscience or charlatanry. Physiognomy was regarded by those who cultivated it both as a mode of discriminating character by the outward appearance and as a method of divination from form and feature.

Learn more about physiognomy with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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