physiognomy Hear it!

physiognomy Definition

physi·og·nomy (fiz′ē äg′nə mē; chiefly Brit, -än′ə mē)

noun

  1. the practice of trying to judge character and mental qualities by observation of bodily, esp. facial, features
  2. facial features and expression, esp. as supposedly indicative of character; the face
  3. apparent characteristics; outward features or appearance

Etymology: ME fisonomie < MFr phisonomie < ML physonomia < Gr physiognōmonia < physis, nature (see physic) + gnōmōn, one who knows: see gnomon

physiognomy Related Forms

phys′i·og·nom′ic (-äg näm′ik, -ə näm′-) adjective or phys′i·og·nom′i·cal phys′i·og·nom′i·cally adverb phys′i·og′·no·mist noun

physiognomy Synonyms

physiognomy

n.

countenance, face, features, look; see appearance 1. See syn. study at face.

physiognomy Usage Examples

Converse of object

have: Smith had the physiognomy of a seraph dragged through the boiling mire.

Adjective modifier

  • political: Caught between the more or less crystallized right and left groupings, the center was therewith deprived of any independent political physiognomy.
  • planetary: The tradition of planetary physiognomy is alive and well in the present day ).
  • human: The organization of the image is not to be resolved through any appeal to human physiognomy.

Noun used with modifier

vegetation: Vegetation physiognomies and woody flora of the cerrado biome.