visnomyn.
/ˈvɪznəmi/ Now archaic or dialect.1819 W. Scott Bride of Lammermoor ii*, in Tales of my Landlord 3rd Ser. II. 55 The loon has woodie written on his very visnomy.1821 W. Scott Kenilworth I. x. 245 My own ugly viznomy.1822 C. Lamb in London Mag. Mar. 284/1 Who would consult his sweet visnomy, if the polished surface were two or three minutes..in giving back its copy.1838 J. P. Kennedy Rob of Bowl ii A thick gray moustache gave a martial and veteran air to his visnomy.† 2. = physiognomy n. 2. Obsolete. rare.
1. = physiognomy n. 3.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > head > face > [noun] > as index of character
physiognomyc1425
visnomy1509
character1610
physiognomics1704
physiog1791
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1928) xxix. 142 For you are euyll fauoured and also vgly I am the worse to se your vysnamy.
1556 J. Olde tr. R. Gwalther Antichrist f. 70 The..Prophet Daniel, and the Apostle Paule: which paynt out Antichristes visnomye unto us wyth suche lyght and euidence.
1591 E. Spenser Muiopotmos in Complaints sig. V4 Each of the Gods by his like visnomie Eathe to be knowen.
1605 G. Chapman Al Fooles ii. i. 159 Then with a bell regard advant mine eye With boldnes on her verie visnomie.
1640 R. Brome Sparagus Garden iii. v You seldom see a Poet look out at a good Visnomy.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > foresight, foreknowledge > prediction, foretelling > divination by natural phenomena > divination by personal appearance > [noun] > by the face
physiognomy1531
visnomy?1536
?1536 R. Copland Hye Way to Spyttell Hous sig. Cj For all the seuen scyences surely he can And is sure in Physyk and Palmestry In augury, sothsayeng, and vysenamy.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1917; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
<
n.1509