[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/countenance/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [C](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/c/) / countenance # countenance noun (a countenance, countenances); verb (countenance, countenances, countenanced, countenancing — formal) «countenance» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition and Early Modern English — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. (formal, old-fashioned) A person's face, or the look on it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/countenance/#m1) 2. (verb, formal) To allow or approve of something, usually used in «not countenance»: the teacher would not countenance cheating. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/countenance/#m2) 3. (in «keep your countenance») to keep a calm, straight face and not laugh. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/countenance/#m3) ### 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/countenance/#x1) - His countenance fell when he heard the news. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/countenance/#x2) - Alice could hardly keep her countenance when the Mock Turtle sang. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/countenance/#x3) - The headteacher would not countenance bullying. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/countenance/#x4) - The Badger's countenance was stern but kind. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/countenance/#x5) - «The Lord make his face shine upon you,» says the blessing in the Bible. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/countenance/#x6) - Her countenance brightened when she saw the letter. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/countenance/#x7) - Dad would never countenance lying. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/countenance/#x8) - Her countenance glowed, and her eyes were like two stars. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/countenance/#x9) ### 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/countenance/#x1) - The LORD lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. (Torah NUM.6.26, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/countenance/#x2) - And the LORD said unto Cain: 'Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? (Torah GEN.4.6, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/countenance/#x3) - Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. (Writings PRO.27.17, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/countenance/#x4) - The north wind bringeth forth rain, and a backbiting tongue an angry countenance. (Writings PRO.25.23, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/countenance/#x5) - Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise Him for the salvation of His countenance. (Writings PSA.42.6, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/countenance/#x6) ### 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/C/countenance/#m1) ### 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/C/countenance/#x1) - Don't be put out of countenance. (Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/C/countenance/#x2) - The LORD lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. (Torah NUM.6.26, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/C/countenance/#x3) ### Note Today: face. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «countenance» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/countenance/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«countenance» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/countenance.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «countenance» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/countenance/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«countenance» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/countenance.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «countenance» in the Early Modern English dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/C/countenance/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«countenance» in the Early Modern English dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/emode/w/countenance.html) on Mova free.