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.
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.
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.
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