countenance

Reading level: medium

Estimated CEFR level: A2 — Elementary

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun the appearance conveyed by a person's face
  2. noun formal and explicit approval
  3. noun the human face (`kisser' and `smiler' and `mug' are informal terms for `face' and `phiz' is British)

Etymology

From Middle English contenaunce, countenaunce, from Anglo-Norman countenance and Old French contenance, from the present participle of contenir, or from Late Latin continentia, and therefore a doublet of continence.

In classic literature

Synonyms

visage

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