Dis-coun'te-nance1, v. t.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. DISCOUNTENANCED (-nanst); p. pr. & vb. n. DISCOUNTENANCING.] [Prefix dis and countenance, q. v.; O. Fr. descontenancer, now décontenancer.]
Sense 1. To ruffle or discompose the countenance of; to put out of countenance; to put to shame; to abash.
How would one look from his majestic brow ... Discountenance her despised! Milton.
The hermit was somewhat dis'countenanced by this observation. H. Scott.
Sense 2. To refuse to countenance, or give the support of one's approval to; to give one's influence against; to discourage.
A town-meeting was convened to discontenance riot. Bancroft.