countenance

Where does the word "countenance" come from? It comes from Latin tenere, passing through Latin and Old French before entering English (1300s).

Countenance’s story begins in Latin: tenere meant “to hold.” To hold, combined with com- (thoroughly). Within Latin, it grew into continere by ancient. To hold together, to contain, from com- and tenere. From there it passed into Old French as contenance by medieval. Carried into French for one's bearing or facial expression. It reached English by 1300s as countenance. Settled as the English word for a person's facial expression, or to approve of something. Today, countenance means a person's facial expression, or to approve of or tolerate something.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient tenere "to hold", to hold, combined with com- (thoroughly).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient continere "to hold together, to contain", to hold together, to contain, from com- and tenere.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval contenance "one's bearing or facial expression", carried into French for one's bearing or facial expression.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1300s countenance "a person's facial expression, or to approve of something", settled as the English word for a person's facial expression, or to approve of something.