countenance
/ˈkaʊnt(ə)nəns
/noun
1A person’s face or facial expression: his impenetrable eyes and inscrutable countenance give little away...
- He inwardly grinned along with Elizabeth, but both of them kept impassive countenances in front of their son.
- Several portraits feature beautiful faces, some with deeply lined, wizened countenances.
- The servant, as that was now what he all-too-obviously was, prayed no one would notice his slip of the tongue, but clearly they remained unanswered by the expressions on everyone's surprised and confused countenances.
Synonyms
face, features, physiognomy, profile;
facial expression, expression, look, appearance, aspect, mien
informal mug, clock
British informal mush, dial, phizog, phiz
British rhyming slang boat race
Scottish & Irish informal coupon
Northern Irish informal bake
North American informal puss, pan
literary visage, lineaments
archaic front
2 [mass noun] Support or approval: she was giving her specific countenance to the occasion...
- The man, appropriately, shone his countenance approvingly upon her.
- We all know the ABC would never give countenance to the perverted influence of base and vulgar advertising.
- Is there any parent who would argue for, or countenance, the early evacuation of one sick child from an Intensive Care Unit bed in favour of their own child?
verb [with object]
Admit as acceptable or possible: he was reluctant to countenance the use of force...
- Not coincidentally, this came just as he was countenancing the possibility of employing his services elsewhere.
- Capital punishment has been outlawed most places, and even where it is allowed, brutality of that kind would not be countenanced.
- We think countenancing any other position would totally undermine our members going about their duty and put them at phenomenal risk.
Synonyms
tolerate, permit, allow, admit of, approve (of), agree to, consent to, give one's blessing to, take kindly to, be in favour of, favour, hold with, go along with, put up with, endure, brook, stomach, swallow, bear;
Scottish thole
informal stand for, stick, hack, give the go ahead to, give the green light to, give the thumbs up to, give the okay to
North American rare approbate
Phrases
keep one's countenance
keep someone in countenance
out of countenance
Origin
Middle English: from Old French contenance 'bearing, behaviour', from contenir (see contain). The early sense was 'bearing, demeanour', also 'facial expression', hence 'the face'.