| Title | physiognomy |
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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary phys·i·og·no·my \\ˌfi-zē-ˈä(g)-nə-mē\\ noun (plural -mies) ETYMOLOGY Middle English phisonomie, from Anglo-French phisenomie, from Late Latin physiognomonia, physiognomia, from Greek physiognōmonia, from physiognōmōn judging character by the features, from physis nature, physique, appearance + gnōmōninterpreter — more at gnomon DATE 14th century 1. the art of discovering temperament and character from outward appearance 2. the facial features held to show qualities of mind or character by their configuration or expression 3. external aspect; also : inner character or quality revealed outwardly English Etymology physiognomy 1390, "art of judging characters from facial features," from L.L.physiognomia, from Gk. physiognomia "the judging of a person's nature by his features," from physio-, comb. form of physis "nature" (see physic) + gnomon (gen. gnomonos) "judge, indicator." Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 physiognomy physi·ognomy / 7fizi5CnEmi; NAmE -5B:nE- / noun(pl. -ies) (formal) the shape and features of a person's face 容貌；相貌；面相 Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged phys·i·ogno·my \ˌfizēˈä(g)nəmē, -mi\ noun (-es) Etymology: alteration (influenced by Late Latin physiognomia) of earlier phisnami, from Middle English fysnamye, phisnomye, phisonomie, from Middle French phisonomie, from Late Latin physiognomia, from Greek physiognōmia, alteration of physiognōmonia, from physi- + gnōmon-, gnōmōn interpreter, discerner + -ia -y — more at gnomon 1. a. : the technique or art of discovering temperament and character from outward appearance (as from facial features) b. : divination by means of facial features : fortune-telling or a fortune told by one reading a face 2. a. : the facial features that show the qualities of mind or character by peculiarities of configuration or cast or characteristic expression < a stern physiognomy indicative of great pride > broadly : characteristic facial appearance or type (as of a race or group) < a Grecian physiognomy > < slender aristocratic physiognomy > b. obsolete : a representation of a human face 3. : external aspect : characteristic or peculiar contour; also : inner character or quality as revealed outwardly < the physiognomy of a mountain > < physiognomy of a political party > Synonyms: see face |
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