noun

physiognomy

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Physiognomy (noun) means the practice, now regarded as unscientific, of judging someone's character from their facial features and general appearance.

noun

The practice, now regarded as unscientific, of judging someone's character from their facial features and general appearance.

"During a period of peak popularity in the 19ᵗʰ Century, the field of physiognomy became more sinister and racist than its quirky manifestation during the time of ancient Greeks." — Trenton W. Ford, Is your face gay? Conservative? Criminal? AI researchers are asking the wrong questions (2022)

A person's face, seen as showing something of their character.

The practice of predicting someone's future by studying their facial features.

The overall look of something, judged simply by appearance rather than by its technical properties.

"the physiognomy of a plant; of a meteor"

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Etymology

Inherited from Middle English phisonomie, from Anglo-Norman phisenomie, Middle French phisonomie and others, ultimately from Late Latin physiognomia, from Ancient Greek φυσιογνωμία (phusiognōmía, "physiology"), from φύσις (phúsis, "physique, appearance") plus γνώμη (gnṓmē, "means of knowing"). Middle English phisonomie would regularly have developed into *physnomy /ˈfɪznəmi/ (a pattern seen in other Early Modern English forms, such as fisnomie in All's Well that Ends Well); today's spelling and pronunciation instead reflect learned influence.

Synonyms

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smiler visage phiz countenance kisser mug

Related words

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Rhymes for physiognomy

roomy gloomy sodomy economy anatomy taxonomy antinomy autotomy autonomy lobotomy dichotomy astronomy

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Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of physiognomy?

"physiognomy" (noun) means the practice, now regarded as unscientific, of judging someone's character from their facial features and general appearance.

What is another word for physiognomy?

Other words for "physiognomy" include smiler, visage, phiz, countenance, kisser, mug.

What are the different meanings of physiognomy?

"physiognomy" has 3 main meanings: 1. The practice, now regarded as unscientific, of judging someone's character from their facial features and general appearance; 2. A person's face, seen as showing something of their character; 3. The practice of predicting someone's future by studying their facial features.

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