'Countenance' definitions:
Definition of 'countenance'
(from WordNet)
noun
The appearance conveyed by a person's face; "a pleasant countenance"; "a stern visage" [syn: countenance, visage]
noun
Formal and explicit approval; "a Democrat usually gets the union's endorsement" [syn: sanction, countenance, endorsement, indorsement, warrant, imprimatur]
noun
The human face (`kisser' and `smiler' and `mug' are informal terms for `face' and `phiz' is British) [syn: countenance, physiognomy, phiz, visage, kisser, smiler, mug]
verb
Definition of 'Countenance'
From: GCIDE
- Countenance \Coun"te*nance\ (koun"t[-e]*nans), n. [OE. contenance, countenaunce, demeanor, composure, F. contenance demeanor, fr. L. continentia continence, LL. also, demeanor, fr. L. continere to hold together, repress, contain. See Contain, and cf. Continence.]
- 1. Appearance or expression of the face; look; aspect; mien. [1913 Webster]
- So spake the Son, and into terror changed His countenance. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
- 2. The face; the features. [1913 Webster]
- In countenance somewhat doth resemble you. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- 3. Approving or encouraging aspect of face; hence, favor, good will, support; aid; encouragement. [1913 Webster]
- Thou hast made him . . . glad with thy countenance. --Ps. xxi. 6. [1913 Webster]
- This is the magistrate's peculiar province, to give countenance to piety and virtue, and to rebuke vice. --Atterbury. [1913 Webster]
- 4. Superficial appearance; show; pretense. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
- The election being done, he made countenance of great discontent thereat. --Ascham. [1913 Webster]
- 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." --Addison.
- 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." --Clarendon.
- To keep the countenance, to preserve a composed or natural look, undisturbed by passion or emotion. --Swift. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'Countenance'
From: GCIDE
- Countenance \Coun"te*nance\ (koun"t?-nans), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Countenanced (-nanst); p. pr. & vb. n. Countenancing.]
- 1. To encourage; to favor; to approve; to aid; to abet. [1913 Webster]
- This conceit, though countenanced by learned men, is not made out either by experience or reason. --Sir T. Browne. [1913 Webster]
- Error supports custom, custom countenances error. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
- 2. To make a show of; to pretend. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
- Which to these ladies love did countenance. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'countenance'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- abet,
- abetment,
- accept,
- acceptance,
- adherence,
- admiration,
- admire,
- advocacy,
- advocate,
- aegis,
- aid and abet,
- air,
- applaud,
- approbation,
- approval,
- approve,
- approve of,
- ask for,
- auspices,
- authority,
- authorization,
- back,
- backing,
- bear,
- bear with,
- bearing,
- bless,
- blessing,
- blink at,
- brook,
- brow,
- Buddha-like composure,
- calm disposition,
- calm of mind,
- calmness,
- care,
- carriage,
- cast,
- cast of countenance,
- certification,
- champion,
- championship,
- charity,
- clearance,
- color,
- comfort,
- commend,
- complexion,
- composure,
- condone,
- connive at,
- cool,
- coolheadedness,
- coolness,
- demeanor,
- dial,
- easy mind,
- embolden,
- empowerment,
- enabling,
- encourage,
- encouragement,
- endorse,
- endorsement,
- endure,
- enfranchisement,
- entitlement,
- esteem,
- face,
- facial appearance,
- facies,
- favor,
- favorable vote,
- feature,
- features,
- feed,
- fiat,
- foster,
- fosterage,
- garb,
- give encouragement,
- go for,
- goodwill,
- grin and abide,
- guidance,
- guise,
- have,
- hear of,
- hearten,
- hold with,
- icy calm,
- imperturbation,
- indisturbance,
- indulge,
- interest,
- invite,
- keep in countenance,
- kisser,
- let go by,
- let pass,
- lineaments,
- lines,
- looks,
- map,
- mental composure,
- mien,
- mug,
- mush,
- nod,
- nourish,
- nurture,
- obey,
- OK,
- Oriental calm,
- overlook,
- pan,
- patronage,
- peace of mind,
- peacefulness,
- philosophic composure,
- philosophicalness,
- philosophy,
- phiz,
- physiognomy,
- placidity,
- port,
- posture,
- presence,
- puss,
- put up with,
- quiet,
- quiet mind,
- quietude,
- ratification,
- respect,
- rise above,
- sanction,
- sangfroid,
- seal of approval,
- seconding,
- serenity,
- shine upon,
- shrug,
- shrug it off,
- smile upon,
- soothingness,
- sponsorship,
- stamp of approval,
- stance,
- stand for,
- stomach,
- submit to,
- subscribe,
- suffer,
- support,
- sympathy,
- take kindly to,
- think well of,
- tolerate,
- traits,
- tranquillity,
- turn,
- tutelage,
- unruffledness,
- uphold,
- view with favor,
- visage,
- voice,
- vote,
- warrant,
- warranty,
- wink at,
- yea,
- yea vote,
- yield to