Countenance
Countenance (koun"te*nans) , noun
[Old English contenance, countenaunce, demeanor, composure, French contenance demeanor, from Latin continentia continence, Late Latin also, demeanor, from Latin continere to hold together, repress, contain. See Contain, and compare Continence.]
1.
Appearance or expression of the face; look; aspect; mien.
So spake the Son, and into terror changed
His countenance.
2.
The face; the features.
In countenance somewhat doth resemble you.
3.
Approving or encouraging aspect of face; hence, favor, good will, support; aid; encouragement.
Thou hast made him... glad with thy countenance.
This is the magistrate's peculiar province, to give countenance to piety and virtue, and to rebuke vice.
4.
Superficial appearance; show; pretense. [Obsolete]
The election being done, he made countenance of great discontent thereat.
Collocations (3)
In countenance , in an assured condition or aspect; free from shame or dismay. It puts the learned in countenance, and gives them a place among the fashionable part of mankind.
Out of countenance , not bold or assured; confounded; abashed. Their best friends were out of countenance, because they found that the imputations... were well grounded.
To keep the countenance , to preserve a composed or natural look, undisturbed by passion or emotion. — Swift
Countenance (koun"t?-nans) , transitive verb
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.
Error supports custom, custom countenances error.
2.
To make a show of; to pretend. [Obsolete]
Which to these ladies love did countenance.