Coun"te*nance (koun"t?-nans), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Countenanced (-nanst); p. pr. & vb. n.
Countenancing.]
1. To encourage; to favor; to approve; to aid; to abet.
This conceit, though countenanced by learned men, is not made out either by
experience or reason.
Sir T. Browne.
Error supports custom, custom countenances error.
Milton.
2. To make a show of; to pretend. [Obs.]
Which to these ladies love did countenance.
Spenser.
Coun"te*nance (koun"t&esl;*nans), n. [OE. contenance, countenaunce,
demeanor, composure,
F. contenance demeanor,
fr. L. continentia continence, LL. also, demeanor, fr. L. continere
to hold together, repress, contain. See Contain, and cf. Continence.]
1. Appearance or expression of the face; look; aspect; mien.
So spake the Son, and into
terror changed
His countenance.
Milton.
2. The face; the
features.
In countenance somewhat doth resemble you.
Shak.
3. Approving or encouraging aspect of face; hence, favor, good will, support; aid; encouragement.
Thou hast made him . . . glad with thy
countenance.
Ps. xxi.
6.
This is the magistrate's peculiar province, to give countenance to piety and virtue, and to rebuke vice.
Atterbury.
4. Superficial appearance; show; pretense. [Obs.]
The election being done, he made countenance of great discontent thereat.
Ascham.
In countenance, in an assured
condition or aspect; free from shame or
dismay. "It puts the learned in countenance, and gives them a place
among the fashionable part of mankind." Addison. --
Out of countenance, not bold or assured; confounded;
abashed. "Their best
friends were out of countenance, because they found that the imputations . . . were well grounded." Clarendon. -- To keep the countenance, to preserve a composed or natural look, undisturbed by passion or
emotion. Swift.
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