discountenance etymology

Etymology

• French: décontenancer
• Late Latin: dis- + continentia ("self-possession")
• Latin: dis- ("apart, not") + continere ("to hold together")

Meaning

• To embarrass or disconcert
• To cause to lose self-possession or confidence
• To discourage or disapprove of

Origin

The word "discountenance" comes from the French word décontenancer, which is derived from the Late Latin dis- and continentia. Continentia is related to the Latin verb continere, meaning "to hold together". The prefix dis- means "apart" or "not", so dis- + continentia literally means "not holding together".

In the 14th century, the word "discountenance" was first used in English to mean "to lose one's countenance or composure". By the 16th century, it had taken on its current meaning of "to embarrass or disconcert".

discountenance relate terms

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  Etymology Middle English discarde from Old French descarder meaning to discard Ul

• spend

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• splay

  Etymology English splay Middle English spleyen Old English splecgan Meaning To

• sport

  Etymology The word sport originates from the following sources Old Provençal des

• disdain

  Etymology The word disdain comes from the Old French word desdaignier meaning to

• Spencer

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• quarantine

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• interview

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• righteous

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• honest

  Etymology From Middle English onest from Anglo Norman oneste from Old French oneste

• mundane

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• style

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• ballpark

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• pregnant

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