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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary coun·te·nance
ETYMOLOGY Middle English contenance, from Anglo-French cuntenance, contenance, from Medieval Latin continentia, from Latin, restraint, from continent-, continens, present participle of continēre to hold together — more at contain DATE 13th century 1. obsolete : bearing , demeanor 2. a. calm expression b. mental composure c. look , expression 3. archaic a. aspect , semblance b. pretense 4. face , visage ; especially : the face as an indication of mood, emotion, or character5. bearing or expression that offers approval or sanction : moral support
transitive verb (-nanced ; -nanc·ing) DATE 1568 : to extend approval or toleration to : sanction refused to countenance any changes in the policy • coun·te·nanc·er noun English Etymology countenance mid-13c., from O.Fr . countenance "demeanor, bearing, conduct," from L. continentia "restraint," lit. "way one contains oneself," from continere (see contain). Meaning evolving M.E. from "appearance" to "facial expression betraying a state of mind," to "face" itself (late 14c.). The verb "to favor, patronize" is from 1560s, from notion of "to look upon with sanction or smiles."http://O.Fr Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 countenance coun·ten·ance / 5kauntEnEns / noun (formal or literary) a person's face or their expression 面容；脸色；面部表情verb (formal) to support sth or agree to sth happening 支持；赞成；同意 SYN consent to :
▪ [VN] The committee refused to countenance his proposals. 委员会拒不同意他的方案。 ▪ [also V -ing also VN -ing] Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Thesaurus-11th Edition n. Function: noun 1 Synonyms: LOOK 2, cast, expression, face, visage Idioms: (the) cut of one's jib 2 Synonyms: FACE 1, ||dial, features, ||kisser, ||map, mug, ||pan, phiz, ||puss, visagen. Function: verb 1 Synonyms: ENCOURAGE 2, advocate, favor Related Words: applaud, commend; back, champion, support, uphold Contrasted Words: deride, ridicule; criticize, reprehend, reprobate; reproach, reprove Antonyms: discountenance 2 Synonyms: APPROVE 1, accept, approbate, favor, go (for), hold (with)Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged coun·te·nance I. \ˈkau̇nt(ə)nən(t)s, -tən-\ noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English countenaunce, from Middle French contenance behavior, demeanor, from Medieval Latin continentia, from Latin, continence, restraint, from continent-, continens (present participle of continēre to hold together, restrain, contain) + -ia -y — more at contain 1. obsolete a. : bearing , demeanor b. : behavior , comportment c. : bearing or behavior as indicative of goodwill or ill will 2. a. : calm expression : facial expression indicating composure < he kept his countenance so well that he had the air of having made a finished speech — G.B.Shaw > also : mental composure < startled and also somewhat out of countenance — Arnold Bennett > b. : the expressive appearance of one's face : look , expression < a countenance which expressed both good humor and intelligence — Sir Walter Scott > 3. archaic a. : aspect , semblance b. (1) : a mere appearance or show (2) : a feigned or assumed appearance : pretense 4. : face , visage ; especially : the face as an indication of mood, emotion, or character < good-looking and gentlemanlike, he had a pleasant countenance — Jane Austen > 5. archaic : the appearances that one maintains : standing , dignity 6. a. obsolete : credit , esteem b. : appearance of favor : bearing or expression appearing or calculated to approve or encourage : sanction : moral support :goodwill < his having had no support or countenance in accepted tradition — F.R.Leavis > < give the hussy no countenance — S.E.Morison & H.S.Commager > c. obsolete : confidence arising from favor and encouragement : trust Synonyms: see face II. transitive verb (-ed/-ing/-s) Etymology: Middle French contenancer, from contenance, n. : to give countenance to : extend approval or toleration to : encourage , sanction , support , favor , condone < asked his family to countenance her > < although militant, he never countenanced violence > Synonyms: see favor |
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