countenance

Definitions

From Latin continentia ('contents, restraint,' con- + tenēre 'hold together'). In Old French it shifted from 'how you hold yourself / your bearing' to 'the face' that shows that bearing. So countenance = the held-together composure visible on your face. The verb 'to countenance' (to tolerate) keeps the older 'keep/allow' thread.

Why It Means This

Countenance is one of the family's most surprising members — it doesn't look like contain or retain, yet it grew from the same Latin tenēre. Its path ran through 'continentia' (composure, holding oneself together) to Old French, where it came to mean the face that displays that composure. That is why it can mean both 'facial expression' and, as a verb, 'to tolerate' (to keep allowing).

Common Collocations

• 1.a calm countenance平静的面容
• 2.change countenance脸色大变
• 3.not countenance不容许
• 4.refuse to countenance拒绝接受

Example Sentences

• 1.

  A calm countenance hid his inner panic.

• 2.

  The committee would not countenance any further delay.