ETYM Old Eng. contenance, countenaunce, demeanor, composure, French contenance demeanor, from Latin continentia continence, Late Lat. also, demeanor, from Latin continere to hold together, repress, contain. Related to Contain, Continence.
1. The appearance conveyed by a person's face; SYN. visage.
2. The human face ('kisser' and 'smiler' and 'mug' are informal terms for 'face'); SYN. physiognomy, visage, kisser, smiler, mug.

1. To encourage; to favor; to approve; to aid; to abet.
2. To tolerate.
approve of; condone; encourage