countenance

Everyday

1. (formal, old-fashioned) A person's face, or the look on it. tree →
2. (verb, formal) To allow or approve of something, usually used in «not countenance»: the teacher would not countenance cheating. tree →
3. (in «keep your countenance») to keep a calm, straight face and not laugh. tree →

In the lessons

Found in older books and the Bible («the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee» — a blessing asking God to look kindly on you). In stories it tells the reader about a face and mood: a cheerful countenance, a grim countenance. Alice often has trouble keeping her countenance when the creatures say silly things.

Examples

• The old man had a kind countenance. tree →
• His countenance fell when he heard the news. tree →
• Alice could hardly keep her countenance when the Mock Turtle sang. tree →
• The headteacher would not countenance bullying. tree →
• The Badger's countenance was stern but kind. tree →
• «The Lord make his face shine upon you,» says the blessing in the Bible. tree →
• Her countenance brightened when she saw the letter. tree →
• Dad would never countenance lying. tree →
• Her countenance glowed, and her eyes were like two stars. tree →

Note

Old-fashioned and formal; in everyday talk say «face» or «look». «His countenance fell» means he looked disappointed. As a verb it is almost always negative: «I will not countenance it.»

In Jewish tradition

It means a person's face, and "lift up His countenance" means that God looks kindly on someone. In the Writings it also means the look on a face, showing feeling, and "the salvation of His countenance" means God's face bringing rescue.

Interpretation. The priestly blessing asks God to lift His face toward Israel and give peace. Cain's fallen face is taken as a sign of his anger and shame. The poets' wish to see God's face is read as longing for His help and nearness.

Examples

• And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. (Torah GEN.4.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• The LORD lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. (Torah NUM.6.26, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the LORD said unto Cain: 'Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? (Torah GEN.4.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. (Writings PRO.27.17, JPS 1917) tree →
• The north wind bringeth forth rain, and a backbiting tongue an angry countenance. (Writings PRO.25.23, JPS 1917) tree →
• Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise Him for the salvation of His countenance. (Writings PSA.42.6, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Old-fashioned and formal; in everyday talk say «face» or «look». «His countenance fell» means he looked disappointed. As a verb it is almost always negative: «I will not countenance it.»

Early Modern English

Meaning

A person's face, or the look on it. tree →

Then and now

Today it is formal or old-fashioned, and we say "face." In "put out of countenance" it means made to feel embarrassed, which is an old phrase.

Examples

• And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. (Torah GEN.4.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• Don't be put out of countenance. (Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen) tree →
• The LORD lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. (Torah NUM.6.26, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Today: face.