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I keep seeing this word every couple of months in NYT or Wall Street Journal (and once again, I stumbled upon the word in the article America's True History of Religious Tolerance). Every time I see this word, I always look it up. But shortly after — typically a few days later — I gleefully forget the meaning. What's the best way to remember what this word means? |
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The word is used in the Bible to mean face or bearing, demeanor. The account in Mark 10:17-31 demonstrates this use: The man's "countenance fell" (an idiom) and went away sorrowing. I have not seen that usage in a long time! From Merrian-Webster:
The connection is clear: What you approve, you are happy with, you look fondly upon. What you disapprove of, you frown upon. |
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I think it's easiest to remember by noting that as a noun, countenance just means face, appearance. The meaning of the verb is figurative based on this: to give face to, as in, to let people know that you approve something, and hence, to sanction. |
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The best way to remember a word is to use it. Tomorrow, use it in a sentence 5 times. Do this for 5 days, and you'll remember it. |
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