Countenance

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈkaÊŠn.tɪ.nÉ™ns/, /ˈkaÊŠn.tÉ™n.É™ns/

Alternative forms

• countenaunce obsolete

Origin

Anglo-Norman, from Latin contineō ("hold together").

Full definition of countenance

Noun

1. Appearance, especially the features and expression of the face.
• Authorized Version, Genesis 4:5But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
2. Favour; support; encouragement.
• Bible, Psalms xxi. 6Thou hast made him ... glad with thy countenance.
• AtterburyThis is the magistrate's peculiar province, to give countenance to piety and virtue, and to rebuke vice.
3. (obsolete) Superficial appearance; show; pretense.
• AschamThe election being done, he made countenance of great discontent thereat.

Synonyms

Verb

1. (transitive) To tolerate, support, sanction, patronise or approve of something.''The cruel punishment was countenanced by the government, although it was not officially legal.
• 1925, Franz Kafka, The Trial, Vintage Books (London), pg. 99:For the Defence was not actually countenanced by the Law, but only tolerated, and there were differences of opinion even on that point, whether the Law could be interpreted to admit such tolerances at all.

Synonyms

• (tolerate, support) approve, sanction, support, tolerate