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