What does "physiognomy" mean?
The art or pseudoscience of deducing the predominant temper and other characteristic qualities of the mind from the outward appearance, especially from the features of the face.
Physiognomy
/fɪziˈɑ(ɡ)nəmi/ noun
noun ·Uncommon ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The art or pseudoscience of deducing the predominant temper and other characteristic qualities of the mind from the outward appearance, especially from the features of the face.
- Grammar: physiognomy is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: countenance, air, appearance, bearing.
- Useful contrasts: essence, scientific analysis.
- Usage evidence: The physiognomy of the landscape on the tropical coast is gorgeous.
How to use "physiognomy"
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Meaning check
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Source and review context
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Before you rely on this definition
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Definition decision workflow
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 The art or pseudoscience of deducing the predominant temper and other characteristic qualities of the mind from the outward appearance, especially from the features of the face. countable, uncountable
"Known still less than Della Porta is the figure of Camillo Baldi, an early-seventeenth-century Bolognese physician and university professor who advanced the discussion from the study of physiognomy and skull sizes to the study of characteriology based on writing. I am still not sure what to make of this treatise on onychomancy, that is, divining by observing the fingernails, except that he accounted for the practice as an example of the acute application of observational technique to the signs and symbols left by intelligent nature for humans to decipher in view of some benefit."
- 2 the human face (‘kisser’ and ‘smiler’ and ‘mug’ are informal terms for ‘face’ and ‘phiz’ is British) wordnet
- 3 The face or countenance, with respect to the temper of the mind; particular configuration, cast, or expression of countenance, as denoting character. countable, uncountable
"Faith ſir a has an Engliſh maine, but his fiſnomie is more hotter in France then there."
- 4 The art of telling fortunes by inspection of the features. countable, uncountable
- 5 The general appearance or aspect of a thing, without reference to its scientific characteristics. countable, uncountable
"the physiognomy of a plant; of a meteor"
Antonyms
essencescientific analysis
Example
"The physiognomy of the landscape on the tropical coast is gorgeous."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "physiognomy"?
Common synonyms include: countenance, air, appearance, bearing, brow, carriage.
How do you use "physiognomy" in a sentence?
The physiognomy of the landscape on the tropical coast is gorgeous.
How do you pronounce "physiognomy"?
Pronounced /fɪziˈɑ(ɡ)nəmi/.
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English phisonomie, from Anglo-Norman phisenomie, Middle French phisonomie et al., ultimately from Late Latin physiognomia, from Ancient Greek φυσιογνωμία (phusiognōmía, “physiology”), from φύσις (phúsis, “physique, appearance”) + γνώμη (gnṓmē, “means of knowing”). Middle English phisonomie would regularly develop into *physnomy /ˈfɪznəmi/ (forms of this type are common in Early Modern English, such as fisnomie in All's Well that Ends Well); the modern spelling and pronunciation are due to learned influence.