Attitude vs Countenance - What's the difference?

As nouns the difference between attitude and countenance

is that attitude is the position of the body or way of carrying oneself; posture while countenance is appearance, especially the features and expression of the face.

As verbs the difference between attitude and countenance

is that attitude is to assume or to place in a particular position or orientation; to pose while countenance is to tolerate, support, sanction, patronise or approve of something.

attitude

English

Noun

The position of the body or way of carrying oneself; posture.

The ballet dancer walked with a graceful attitude

Disposition or state of mind.

... but had a lazy attitude to work.

(uncountable, countable) A negative, irritating, or irritated attitude; posturing.

Don't give me your attitude .

You've got some attitude , girl !

(aeronautics, nautical, engineering) The orientation of a vehicle or other object relative to the horizon, direction of motion, other objects, etc.

The airliner had to land with a nose-up attitude after the incident.

(ballet) A position similar to arabesque, but with the raised leg bent at the knee.

* 2007 , Gayle Kassing, History of Dance: An Interactive Arts Approach , page 134,

Blasis was a man of many accomplishments. He invented the ballet position of attitude and codified the ballet technique of that time, distinguishing three types of dancers: the serious, the demi-caractère , and the comic dancer.

Synonyms

* stance * (position of vehicle etc) trim, orientation

Derived terms

() * attitude-y * attitudinal * dickitude * tude

Verb

(attitud)

To assume or to place in a particular position or orientation; to pose.

* 1823 , Felix M'Donogh, The Hermit Abroad , Volume 1, page 122,

* 1837 , William E. Burton, The Gentleman's Magazine , Volume 1, page 123,

Attituded like an inspired curling-tongs, leaning back heavily on his right leg, and throwing forward his left, his arm elevated to a level with his shoulder, the clenched fist grasping a brush that might have been available in

* 1971 , , Advances in Astronautical Sciences , Volume 29, Part 2, page 395,

The attituded control gyro package, electronics, APS gas supply, and the preentry electronics are mounted internally, and are distributed circumferentially at the major ring.

To express an attitude through one's posture, bearing, tone of voice, etc.

* 2002 , Wayne Normis, The Last Street Fighter , page 33,

He attituded his way over to me, got up close, and just stood there looking at me, trying to appear threatening.

* 2008 , Yvonne Müller, "The Absentee": an Interpretation - an Analysis of Maria Edgeworth's Novel , page 12,

The typical characteristic attituded toward the English is coldness.

* 2010 , R. Scott, Nine Months and a Year Later , page 82,

I was really tripping, 'cause this nigga had the nerve to be attituded up when he was the one always doing something he had no business doing.

External links

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Anagrams

countenance

English

Alternative forms

* countenaunce (obsolete)

Noun

(en noun)

Appearance, especially the features and expression of the face.

* , Genesis 4:5

But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

*{{quote-book, year=1959, author=(Georgette Heyer), title=(The Unknown Ajax), chapter=1

, passage=But Richmond, his grandfather's darling, after one thoughtful glance cast under his lashes at that uncompromising countenance appeared to lose himself in his own reflections.}}

Favour; support; encouragement.

* (Bible), (Psalms) xxi. 6

Thou hast made himglad with thy countenance .

* (Francis Atterbury) (1663-1732)

This is the magistrate's peculiar province, to give countenance to piety and virtue, and to rebuke vice.

(label) Superficial appearance; show; pretense.

* (Roger Ascham) (1515-1568)

The election being done, he made countenance of great discontent thereat.

Synonyms

* See also

Verb

(countenanc)

To tolerate, support, sanction, patronise or approve of something.

''The cruel punishment was countenanced by the government, although it was not officially legal.

* 1925 , Franz Kafka, The Trial'', ''Vintage Books (London) , pg. 99:

For the Defence was not actually countenanced by the Law, but only tolerated, and there were differences of opinion even on that point, whether the Law could be interpreted to admit such tolerances at all.

Synonyms

* approve, sanction, support, tolerate

References

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