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countenance

countenance

15 7.2
A person's face or the expression on it that shows mood
  • noun
  • /ˈkaʊntənəns/
  • Formal
translation icon : semblante
  • His countenance revealed his disappointment even when he tried to hide it.
  • a fierce countenance
  • pity in his countenance
  • a human countenance

It is as much its countenance, its face, as its mask, which it can lay aside.

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Examples

  • The artist captured her serene countenance in the painting, reflecting her calm nature.

  • "And a fine day too, judging by your countenance," Barberini replied.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • May he turn his countenance to you... and give you peace.

  • God lift up His countenance to you and give you peace.

  • The Lord, lift up his countenance upon him and give him peace.

  • May the Lord lift up His divine countenance upon you... and give you peace.

  • And Washington replied, no, my countenance never yet betrayed my feelings.

  • To the delight of all, his normally calm and pleasant countenance was bright red with indignation.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • He's not so dashing as Willoughby, but he has a pleasing countenance.

  • Even if you forge my name, you'll never forge this amiable countenance.

Synonyms

face
vscountenance
1.0

The expression that shows a person's feelings

focuses more on the front of the head as sign of mood or character
look
vscountenance
1.0

An expression on the face that shows a feeling

is used more as a sign of mood or character than mere expression
expression
vscountenance
315 2.5

A look on the face that shows what someone feels or thinks

is used more as an indicator of mood or character than a simple sign
aspect
vscountenance
30 3.4

The look on someone's face that shows their feelings

focuses more on the front of the head as an indicator of mood or character
facial expression
vscountenance
24 1.8

A look or movement on the face that shows feelings

emphasizes mood or character more than simple movements of the front of the head
visage
vscountenance
  • Literature
14 7.9

A person's face, especially their expression

is used more to show mood or character through the front of the head
mien
vscountenance
  • Literature
3 9.1

A person's look and behavior that shows their feelings or character

focuses more narrowly on the front of the head as a mood indicator
physiognomy
vscountenance
  • Formal
2 9.9

Facial features that seem to show a person's character

applies the same idea but focuses more on mood as well as character
look on someone's face
vscountenance
2.5

An expression on a person's face that shows their feelings

highlights front of the head cues specifically as indicators of mood or character

How Expressive

grin
139 1.0
smile
1.0
countenance
  • Formal
15 7.2

Surface Forms

countenance singular
countenances plural

Etymology

Countenance comes from an old idea meaning 'to contain' or 'hold', the same root as contain, and it originally meant a person's 'bearing' or how they hold their face. So countenance now means someone's face or expression that shows their mood.