Countenance

n. [Fr. contenance, from contenant, p. pr. of contenir, from Lat. continere, to hold together, retain, from con and tenere, to hold; Pr. contenenza, It. continenza, Lat. continentia.]

1Sense 1. The appearance or expression of the face; look; aspect; mien.

So spake the Son, and into terror changed His countenance. Milton.

2Sense 2. The face; the features.

In countenance somewhat doth resemble you. Shak.

3Sense 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.

4Sense 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, with the countenance cast down; not bold or assured; confounded; abashed. “Their best friends were out of countenance, because they feared that the imputations . . . were well founded.” Clarendon. — To keep the countenance, to preserve a composed or natural look, unruffled by passion; to refrain from expressing laughter, joy, anger, or other passion, by change of aspect.

v. t. [imp. & p. p. COUNTENANCED (koun'te-nanst); p. pr. & vb. n. COUNTENANCING.] 1. To encourage by a favoring aspect; to sanction; to favor; to approve; to aid; to support; to abet. This concert, though countenanced by learned men, is not made out either by experience or reason. Browne. Error supports custom, custom countenances error. Milton. 2. To make a show of; to pretend. [Obs.] Each to these ladies love did countenance. Spenser.