Countenance vs Demeanor - What's the difference?
countenance | demeanor |
Appearance, especially the features and expression of the face.
* , Genesis 4:5
*{{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
* (Francis Atterbury) (1663-1732)
(label) Superficial appearance; show; pretense.
* (Roger Ascham) (1515-1568)
To tolerate, support, sanction, patronise or approve of something.
* 1925 , Franz Kafka, The Trial'', ''Vintage Books (London) , pg. 99:
The social, non-verbal behaviours (such as body language and facial expressions) that are characteristic of a person.
* {{quote-book, a. 1587, , Historie of England, section=Book III
, passage=At this present (saith he) certeine princes of Britaine, procuring by ambassadors and dutifull demeanors the amitie of the emperour Augustus, haue offered in the capitoll vnto the gods presents or gifts, and haue ordeined the whole Ile in a manner to be appertinent, proper, and familiar to the Romans.}}
* {{quote-book, 1993, editor=John J. Fay, chapter=Interrogation: The Kinesics Technique, , Encyclopedia of Security Management, isbn=0750696605
, passage=Demeanors' that are apologetic and overly polite are inherently contradictory to ' demeanors that exhibit fear and anger.}}
As nouns the difference between countenance and demeanor
is that countenance is appearance, especially the features and expression of the face while demeanor is the social, non-verbal behaviours (such as body language and facial expressions) that are characteristic of a person.As a verb countenance
is to tolerate, support, sanction, patronise or approve of something.countenance
English
Alternative forms
* countenaunce (obsolete)Noun
(en noun)- But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
- Thou hast made himglad with thy countenance .
- This is the magistrate's peculiar province, to give countenance to piety and virtue, and to rebuke vice.
- The election being done, he made countenance of great discontent thereat.
Synonyms
* See alsoVerb
(countenanc)- ''The cruel punishment was countenanced by the government, although it was not officially legal.
- 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, tolerateReferences
* * ----demeanor
English
Alternative forms
* demeanour (British spelling)Noun
- The man's demeanor made others suspicious of his intentions.
- A confident demeanor is crucial for persuading others.
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