countenance

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Synonyms 1.3.2 Translations 1.4 Verb 1.4.1 Synonyms 1.4.2 Translations 1.5 References

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Latin contineō (“‘hold together’”).

[edit] Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA: /ˈkaʊn.tɪ.nənts/, /ˈkaʊn.tən.ənts/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] Noun

countenance (plural countenances)

1. Appearance, especially the features and expression of the face.
   • 1611, King James Version of the Bible (Authorized Version)^[1], Genesis 4:5

     But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

[edit] Synonyms

• Wikisaurus has an article on “face” in this sense.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Verb

to 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.

[edit] Synonyms

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

[edit] Translations

[edit] References

• countenance in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
• countenance in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913