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Meaning of countenance in English

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈkaʊnt(ə)nəns/

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  1. Verb

    countenance

    Definitions

    1. consent to, give permission

    Examples

    • « She permitted her son to visit her estranged husband »
    • « I won't let the police search her basement »
    • « I cannot allow you to see your exam »

    Antonyms

    • forbid
    • prohibit
    • interdict
    • proscribe
    • veto
    • disallow
    • forbid
    • prohibit
    • interdict
    • proscribe
    • veto
    • disallow
  2. Noun

    countenance

    Etymology

    Middle English: from Old French contenance‘bearing, behavior’, from contenir (see contain). The early sense was ‘bearing, demeanor’, also ‘facial expression’, hence ‘the face’

    Definitions

    1. the appearance conveyed by a person's face

    Examples

    • « a pleasant countenance »
    • « a stern visage »
  3. 2. formal and explicit approval

    Examples

    • « a Democrat usually gets the union's endorsement »
  4. 3. the human face (`kisser' and `smiler' and `mug' are informal terms for `face' and `phiz' is British)

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