2 definitions found
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Countenance \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.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
countenance
n 1: the appearance conveyed by a person's face; "a pleasant
countenance"; "a stern visage" [syn: {visage}]
2: formal and explicit approval; "a Democrat usually gets the
union's endorsement" [syn: {sanction}, {endorsement}, {indorsement},
{warrant}, {imprimatur}]
3: the human face (`kisser' and `smiler' and `mug' are informal
terms for `face' and `phiz' is British) [syn: {physiognomy},
{phiz}, {visage}, {kisser}, {smiler}, {mug}]
v : consent to, give permission; "She permitted her son to visit
her estranged husband"; "I won't let the police search
her basement"; "I cannot allow you to see your exam"
[syn: {permit}, {allow}, {let}] [ant: {forbid}, {forbid}]