countenance

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Contents

English[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

Etymology[edit]

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

Pronunciation[edit]

  • (UK, US) IPA: /ˈkaʊn.tɪ.nəns/, /ˈkaʊn.tən.əns/
  • (file)

Noun[edit]

countenance (plural countenances)

  1. Appearance, especially the features and expression of the face.

Synonyms[edit]

Translations[edit]

Verb[edit]

countenance (third-person singular simple present countenances, present participle countenancing, simple past and past participle countenanced)

  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[edit]

Translations[edit]

References[edit]


Old French[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

Noun[edit]

countenance f (oblique plural countenances, nominative singular countenance, nominative plural countenances)

  1. appearance; countenance
    e moustre par contenance q'il ad honte de ceo q'il ad fet
    And he showed by his appearance that he was ashamed of what he had done.