Discountenance
Verb
Definition: To refuse to approve of or accept something; to disapprove or discourage.
Synonyms: Disapprove, Discourage, Frown upon
Antonyms: Approve, Encourage, Support
- The teacher discountenanced cheating and punished those who were caught.
- The company's unethical practices were discountenanced by the public.
- Think of the prefix "dis-", which indicates negation or refusal, and "countenance" meaning to approve or show support. So, discountenance means to refuse to approve of something.
Etymology:
The word "discountenance" comes from Middle English "discountenaunce," from Old French "desconter" (to dishearten, to discourage) and "enance" (behavior, appearance).
Historical Usage:The usage of discountenance can be traced back to the 14th century. Over time, it has consistently maintained its meaning of disapproval or discouragement.
Related Idioms:
"To look with discountenance"
Explanation:This phrase means to disapprove or show disapproval through one's facial expression or demeanor.
Misconceptions:
Confusing "discountenance" with "discontinue."
Explanation:While the two words sound similar, "discountenance" means to refuse to approve, while "discontinue" means to cease or stop doing something completely.