Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Counttenance?

\Count"te*nance\ (koun"t?-nans), n. [OE. contenance, countenaunce, demeanor, composure, F. contenance demeanor, fr. L. continentia continence, LL. also, demeanor, fr. L. continere to hold together, repress, contain. See {Contain}, and cf. {Continence}.] 1. Appearance or expression of the face; look; aspect; mien. So spake the Son, and into terror changed His countenance. --Milton. 2. The face; the features. In countenance somewhat doth resemble you. --Shak. 3. Approving or encouraging aspect of face; hence, favor, good will, support; aid; encouragement. Thou hast made him . . . glad with thy countenance. --Ps. xxi. 6. This is the magistrate's peculiar province, to give countenance to piety and virtue, and to rebuke vice. --Atterbury. 4. Superficial appearance; show; pretense. [Obs.] The election being done, he made countenance of great discontent thereat. --Ascham. {In countenance}, in an assured condition or aspect; free from shame or dismay. ``It puts the learned in countenance, and gives them a place among the fashionable part of mankind.'' --Addison. {Out of countenance}, not bold or assured; confounded; abashed. ``Their best friends were out of countenance, because they found that the imputations . . . were well grounded.'' --Clarendon. {To keep the countenance}, to preserve a composed or natural look, undisturbed by passion or emotion. --Swift.