Dis*coun"te*nance (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Discountenanced (?);
p. pr. & vb. n. Discountenancing (?).]
[Pref. dis- + countenance: cf. OF.
descontenancer, F. décontenancer.]
1. To ruffle or discompose the countenance of;
to put of countenance; to put to shame; to abash.
How would one look from his majestic brow . . .
Discountenance her despised!
Milton.
The hermit was somewhat discountenanced by this
observation.
Sir W. Scott.
2. To refuse to countenance, or give the
support of one's approval to; to give one's influence against; to
restrain by cold treatment; to discourage.
A town meeting was convened to discountenance
riot.
Bancroft.
Dis*coun"te*nance, n. Unfavorable
aspect; unfriendly regard; cold treatment; disapprobation; whatever
tends to check or discourage.
He thought a little discountenance on those
persons would suppress that spirit.
Clarendon.
