Noun

(countable, uncountable) Demeanor; facial expression or attitude, especially one which is intended by its bearer.

(countable) A specific facial expression

* {{quote-news, 2007, February 10, Claudia La Rocco, Stony Miens and Sad Hearts, New York Times citation

, passage=It’s hard to say which is worse: the press-on smiles favored by many a ballet dancer, or the stony “I’m going to pretend this isn’t happening to me” miens often found in contemporary troupes like White Road. }}

Noun

(en noun)

Demonstration of an obedient attitude, especially by bowing deeply; a deep bow which demonstrates such an attitude.

* 1845 , ":

Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,

In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore;

Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;

But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door —

Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door —

Perched, and sat, and nothing more.

* 1962 , , How To Do Things With Words (OUP paperback edition), p. 69:

The situation in the case of actions which are non-linguistic but similar to performative utterances in that they are the performance of a conventional action (here ritual or ceremonial) is rather like this: suppose I bow deeply before you; it might not be clear whether I am doing obeisance to you or, say, stooping to observe the flora or to ease my indigestion.

An obedient attitude.