countenance

[ koun-tn-uhns ]

/ ˈkaʊn tn əns /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR countenance ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

appearance, especially the look or expression of the face: a sad countenance.

the face; visage.

calm facial expression; composure.

approval or favor; encouragement; moral support.

Obsolete. bearing; behavior.

verb (used with object), coun·te·nanced, coun·te·nanc·ing.

to permit or tolerate: You should not have countenanced his rudeness.

to approve, support, or encourage.

Idioms for countenance

out of countenance, visibly disconcerted; abashed: He was somewhat out of countenance at the prospect of an apology.

Origin of countenance

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English cuntenaunce “behavior, bearing, self-control,” from Anglo-French cuntena(u)nce, Old French contenance, from Medieval Latin “way of living, demeanor,” from Latin continentia “self-control, restraint”; see continence

synonym study for countenance

2. See face.

historical usage of countenance

The English noun countenance comes from Middle English from Old French contenance, countenance “behavior, bearing.” Its original meaning in the 13th century came directly from the Old French. Later, in the 14th century, this developed into the current sense “the look or expression on a person’s face.”
The Old French noun ultimately comes from the Latin noun continentia “self-control, restraint,” a derivation of the verb continēre “to hold together, keep together, keep under control.”

OTHER WORDS FROM countenance

coun·te·nanc·er, nounun·coun·te·nanced, adjectiveun·der·coun·te·nance, noun

Words nearby countenance

countably additive function, countably compact set, count against, countback, countdown, countenance, counter, counteract, counterargument, counterattack, counterattraction

Dictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for countenance

That kind of smart person cannot countenance the idea of obscurity as a fate.
From Smarm To Snark, We’re All Soldiers In The War On Obscurity|James Poulos|December 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
His opponent in the American election, Mitt Romney, has at times seemed more willing to countenance a unilateral Israeli strike.
Olmert Blasts Bibi on Iran, Relationship with Obama|Dan Ephron|November 6, 2012|DAILY BEAST
I cannot countenance any more breathless, fanzine-style chronicling of her attire.
First Lady Fashion Fatigue|Robin Givhan|November 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He relied on manner, attitude, and countenance to represent a subject's legacy.
Remembering Irving Penn|Philip Gefter|October 8, 2009|DAILY BEAST

Mandelson has not said sorry, if he had to resign again even Lazarus would not countenance a third comeback.
And You Thought U.S. Conservatives Were Out of Touch!|Andrew Pierce|November 7, 2008|DAILY BEAST
His brother Olaf was a tall, thin man; handsome in countenance; lively, modest, and popular.
Heimskringla|Snorri Sturlason
The doctor kept his countenance and checked a smile which might have escaped most people at the aspect of the man.
The Two Brothers|Honore de Balzac
Her countenance expressed surprise and bewilderment that no chick was in sight.
Elsie at Ion|Martha Finley
He was shown the jewel; and from the expression of admiration on his countenance, I could see we had not overvalued it.
Confessions of a Thug|Philip Meadows Taylor
What countenance did she put on at the perusal of my letter?
The History of Don Quixote de la Mancha|Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

British Dictionary definitions for countenance

countenance

/ (ˈkaʊntɪnəns) /

noun

the face, esp when considered as expressing a person's character or mooda pleasant countenance

support or encouragement; sanction

composure; self-control (esp in the phrases keep or lose one's countenance; out of countenance)

verb (tr)

to support or encourage; sanction

to tolerate; endure

Derived forms of countenance

countenancer, noun

Word Origin for countenance

C13: from Old French contenance mien, behaviour, from Latin continentia restraint, control; see contain

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

单词	countenance
释义	countenance [ koun-tn-uhns ] / ˈkaʊn tn əns / SEE SYNONYMS FOR countenance ON THESAURUS.COM noun appearance, especially the look or expression of the face: a sad countenance. the face; visage. calm facial expression; composure. approval or favor; encouragement; moral support. Obsolete. bearing; behavior. verb (used with object), coun·te·nanced, coun·te·nanc·ing. to permit or tolerate: You should not have countenanced his rudeness. to approve, support, or encourage. Idioms for countenance out of countenance, visibly disconcerted; abashed: He was somewhat out of countenance at the prospect of an apology. Origin of countenance First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English cuntenaunce “behavior, bearing, self-control,” from Anglo-French cuntena(u)nce, Old French contenance, from Medieval Latin “way of living, demeanor,” from Latin continentia “self-control, restraint”; see continence synonym study for countenance 2. See face. historical usage of countenance The English noun countenance comes from Middle English from Old French contenance, countenance “behavior, bearing.” Its original meaning in the 13th century came directly from the Old French. Later, in the 14th century, this developed into the current sense “the look or expression on a person’s face.” The Old French noun ultimately comes from the Latin noun continentia “self-control, restraint,” a derivation of the verb continēre “to hold together, keep together, keep under control.” OTHER WORDS FROM countenance coun·te·nanc·er, nounun·coun·te·nanced, adjectiveun·der·coun·te·nance, noun Words nearby countenance countably additive function, countably compact set, count against, countback, countdown, countenance, counter, counteract, counterargument, counterattack, counterattraction Dictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020 Example sentences from the Web for countenance That kind of smart person cannot countenance the idea of obscurity as a fate. From Smarm To Snark, We’re All Soldiers In The War On Obscurity\|James Poulos\|December 7, 2013\|DAILY BEAST His opponent in the American election, Mitt Romney, has at times seemed more willing to countenance a unilateral Israeli strike. Olmert Blasts Bibi on Iran, Relationship with Obama\|Dan Ephron\|November 6, 2012\|DAILY BEAST I cannot countenance any more breathless, fanzine-style chronicling of her attire. First Lady Fashion Fatigue\|Robin Givhan\|November 5, 2012\|DAILY BEAST He relied on manner, attitude, and countenance to represent a subject's legacy. Remembering Irving Penn\|Philip Gefter\|October 8, 2009\|DAILY BEAST Mandelson has not said sorry, if he had to resign again even Lazarus would not countenance a third comeback. And You Thought U.S. Conservatives Were Out of Touch!\|Andrew Pierce\|November 7, 2008\|DAILY BEAST His brother Olaf was a tall, thin man; handsome in countenance; lively, modest, and popular. Heimskringla\|Snorri Sturlason The doctor kept his countenance and checked a smile which might have escaped most people at the aspect of the man. The Two Brothers\|Honore de Balzac Her countenance expressed surprise and bewilderment that no chick was in sight. Elsie at Ion\|Martha Finley He was shown the jewel; and from the expression of admiration on his countenance, I could see we had not overvalued it. Confessions of a Thug\|Philip Meadows Taylor What countenance did she put on at the perusal of my letter? The History of Don Quixote de la Mancha\|Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra British Dictionary definitions for countenance countenance / (ˈkaʊntɪnəns) / noun the face, esp when considered as expressing a person's character or mooda pleasant countenance support or encouragement; sanction composure; self-control (esp in the phrases keep or lose one's countenance; out of countenance) verb (tr) to support or encourage; sanction to tolerate; endure Derived forms of countenance countenancer, noun Word Origin for countenance C13: from Old French contenance mien, behaviour, from Latin continentia restraint, control; see contain Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 Words related to countenance demeanor, visage, mien, composure, abet, condone, stand for, map, physiognomy, look, potato, mask, kisser, face, cast, mug, puss, aspect, expression, features
随便看	self-raising self-realization self-recording self-reference self-regard self-regarding self-registering self-registering thermometer self-regulated self-regulating self-regulating organization self-regulation self-regulative self-reliance self-reliant self-renunciation self-replicate self-replicating self-reproach self-respect self-restraint self-retaining catheter self-revealing self-revelation selfridge

countenance

noun

verb (used with object), coun·te·nanced, coun·te·nanc·ing.

Idioms for countenance

Origin of countenance

synonym study for countenance

historical usage of countenance

OTHER WORDS FROM countenance

Words nearby countenance

Example sentences from the Web for countenance

British Dictionary definitions for countenance

noun

verb (tr)

Derived forms of countenance

Word Origin for countenance

Words related to countenance