First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1countenance
noun coun·te·nance \ˈkau̇n-tən-ən(t)s, ˈkau̇nt-nən(t)s\
: the appearance of a person's face : a person's expression
Full Definition of COUNTENANCE
2
5
: bearing or expression that offers approval or sanction : moral support
See countenance defined for English-language learners
See countenance defined for kids
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Examples of COUNTENANCE
- … 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
Related to COUNTENANCE
- Synonyms
- cast, look, expression, face, visage
- Antonyms
- agitation, discomposure, perturbation
2countenance
verb coun·te·nance \ˈkau̇n-tən-ən(t)s, ˈkau̇nt-nən(t)s\
: to accept, support, or approve of (something)
coun·te·nancedcoun·te·nanc·ing
Full Definition of COUNTENANCE
transitive verb
: to extend approval or toleration to : sanction <refused to countenance any changes in the policy>
— coun·te·nanc·er noun
See countenance defined for English-language learners
Examples of COUNTENANCE
- 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)
COUNTENANCE Defined for Kids
1countenance
noun coun·te·nance \ˈkau̇n-tən-əns\
Definition of COUNTENANCE for Kids
: the human face or its expression <a kind countenance>
2countenance
verb
coun·te·nancedcoun·te·nanc·ing
Definition of COUNTENANCE for Kids
: to give approval or tolerance to <I will not countenance such rude behavior.>
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