Etymograph

English

countenance

Countenance comes from Middle English contenaunce.

  1. Middle Englishc. 1150–1500contenaunce
  2. Englishearliest quotation 1523countenance

attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed

Earlier history uncertain.

Lineage

  1. Middle Englishc. 1150–1500contenaunce
  2. Englishearliest quotation 1523countenance

Earliest quotation: 1523, John Skelton, A Ryght Delectable Tratyse vpon a Goodly Garlande or Chapele: “How Cownterfet Cowntenaunce of the new get / With…”

Linked words

through Proto-Indo-European *ten- ‘to stretch, extend’

continue, tight, tone, obtain, content, ton, entertainment, contain, retain, tune, tennis, sustain, continuous, tender, maintenance, continent, detention, retention, tonic, rein, pristine, detain, continuum, pertinent, abstain, tenor, tendon, tenant, pertain, abstinence, tenacity, tenet, retinue, tetanus, tenacious, tenement, tantra, incontinence, maintainer, sustenance, 72 more

Today it means

noun Appearance, especially the features and expression of the face.

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / Middle English contenaunce / countenance

Shirt and support for this word