Countenance
/ˈkaʊn.tə.nəns/noun
A person's face or facial expression, or calm composure and support.
Did you know?The word entered English through Old French from Latin continere, meaning “to hold together,” so the face was literally imagined as something held in disciplined control.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
continēre
“to hold together, contain, restrain”
Old French
Old French
contenance
“demeanor, bearing, posture; face or expression”
Middle English
English
countenaunce
“appearance, facial expression, bearing”
14th–15th Century
English
countenance
“face, look; composure or support”
Modern English
English
countenance
“face, facial expression; calm bearing; support or approval”