countenance
/ˈkaʊn.tə.nəns/
countenance means appearance, especially the features and expression of the face. It carries an Arena rating of 1959, earned across 54 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, countenance ranks #169 of 17,134 for Most Malleable Words, #1,114 of 17,130 for Most Beautiful Words, #2,030 of 17,128 for Most Ponderous Words, #2,273 of 17,127 for Words That Escaped Their Books.
countenance is pronounced /ˈkaʊn.tə.nəns/.
Why “countenance” is a great word
The arrangement and expression of the face as an index of character or mood, or the formal sanction given to an action. From Middle English contenaunce, countenaunce, via Anglo-Norman countenance and Old French contenance ("bearing, behavior"), ultimately from Latin continēre ("to hold together, enclose, restrain"). Unlike "complexion," which isolates the skin's color and texture, or "tolerate," which suggests a grudging endurance, countenance implies a bearing held in balance—or approval granted with weight. It is the stern composure of a judge listening to testimony, the barely perceptible lift at the corner of a mouth that grants permission without words, and the shadow that falls across features when sanction is withheld—the face not as mask, but as covenant, holding the world together in its regard.
Etymology
From Middle English contenaunce, countenaunce, from Anglo-Norman countenance and Old French contenance, from the present participle of contenir, or from Late Latin continentia, and therefore a doublet of continence.
noun
- Appearance, especially the features and expression of the face.e.g.“How Cownterfet Cowntenaunce of the new get / With Crafty Conueyauance dothe smater and flater, / And Cloked Collucyoun is brought in to clater / With Courtely Abusyoun; […]” — 1523, John Skelton, “A Ryght Delectable Tratyse vpon a Goodly Garlande or Chapelet of Laurell, […]”, in Alexander Dyce, editor, The Poetical Works of John Skelton: […], volume I, London: Thomas Rodd,
- Favour; support; encouragement.e.g.“Thou hast made him[…]glad with thy countenance.” — 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Psalms 21:6:
- Superficial appearance; show; pretense.e.g.“The election being done, he made countenance of great discontent thereat.” — a. 1569 (date written), Roger Ascham, edited by Margaret Ascham, The Scholemaster: Or Plaine and Perfite Way of Teaching Children, to Vnderstand, Write, and Speake, the Latin Tong, […], London: […] Jo
- Calm facial expression, composure, self-control.
verb
- To tolerate, support, sanction, patronise or approve of something.e.g.“The cruel punishment was countenanced by the government, although it was not officially legal.”
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
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