physiognomically

1 9.9

To decide what a person is like by their face

adverb
/ˌfɪziəˈnɑːmɪkli/

Archaic

: fisiognómicamente

However, for the purposes of the present study, we will use the term ethnicity to refer to individuals' socially defined membership in putatively cultural, but sometimes also physiognomically, linguistically, geographically, or ancestrally based ethnic groups.

Examples

Otherwise, the numerous Jewish figures are physiognomically indistinguishable from the Apostles.

Academic text (2000)
Physiognomically, he was quite charming, with a warm smile that suggested kindness.
Physiognomically, the artist painted the characters, capturing their distinct personalities through their facial expressions.
Physiognomically, people often judge others, believing that facial features can reveal character traits.

Synonyms

facially

vsphysiognomically

3 6.0

In a way that is about the face or how it looks

focuses on face features as signs of character or personality

Surface Forms

physiognomically positive

Morphology

physiognomically = physiognomical (semi-transparent) = physiognom + ical + ly

The adverb is formed regularly from the adjective 'physiognomical' using the productive suffix '-ly'.

Etymology

Physiognomically comes from Greek parts physio- meaning 'body' and -gnomy meaning 'judging', and you can see physio- in physical and physique. So, to look physiognomically is to try to read a person's character from their face.