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Countenance vs Demur - What's the difference?

countenance | demur |

In lang=en terms the difference between countenance and demur

is that countenance is to tolerate, support, sanction, patronise or approve of something while demur is to scruple or object; to take exception; to oppose; to balk.

As nouns the difference between countenance and demur

is that countenance is appearance, especially the features and expression of the face while demur is stop; pause; hesitation as to proceeding; suspense of decision or action; scruple.

As verbs the difference between countenance and demur

is that countenance is to tolerate, support, sanction, patronise or approve of something while demur is (obsolete) to linger; to stay; to tarry.

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

    * * ----

    demur

    English

    Verb

    (demurr)
  • (obsolete) To linger; to stay; to tarry
  • * Nicols
  • Yet durst not demur nor abide upon the camp.
  • To delay; to pause; to suspend proceedings or judgment in view of a doubt or difficulty; to hesitate; to put off the determination or conclusion of an affair.
  • * Hayward
  • Upon this rub, the English embassadors thought fit to demur .
  • To scruple or object; to take exception; to oppose; to balk
  • I demur to that statement.
    The personnel demurred at the management's new scheme.
  • (legal) To interpose a demurrer.
  • (obsolete) To suspend judgment concerning; to doubt of or hesitate about
  • The latter I demur , for in their looks / Much reason, and in their actions, oft appears. -
  • (obsolete) To cause delay to; to put off
  • * Quarles
  • He demands a fee, / And then demurs me with a vain delay.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Stop; pause; hesitation as to proceeding; suspense of decision or action; scruple.
  • All my demurs but double his attacks; At last he whispers, ``Do; and we go snacks.'' -
  • * 2004 , (Richard Fortey), The Earth , Folio Society 2011, p. 132:
  • Most geologists today would accept such evidence without demur , but it was still ‘fringe’ science when du Toit was publishing.

    Derived terms

    * demureness

    References

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