Category:Discountenance

Dis*coun"te*nance, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Discountenanced; p. pr. & vb. n. Discountenancing.] Etym: [Pref. dis- + countenance: cf. OF. descontenancer, F. décontenancer.]

1. To ruffle or discompose the countenance of; to put of countenance; to put to shame; to abash. How would one look from his majestic brow. . . Discountenance her despised! Milton. The hermit was somewhat discountenanced by this observation. Sir W. Scott.

2. To refuse to countenance, or give the support of one's approval to; to give one's influence against; to restrain by cold treatment; to discourage. A town meeting was convened to discountenance riot. Bancroft.

discountenance Dis*coun"te*nance, n.

Defn: Unfavorable aspect; unfriendly regard; cold treatment; disapprobation; whatever tends to check or discourage. He thought a little discountenance on those persons would suppress that spirit. Clarendon.