physiognomy definition - Dictionaries

Dictionary

physiognomy [ fízzi ónnəmi ] (plural physiognomies)

noun

Definition:

1. facial features: the features of somebody's face, especially when they are used as indicators of that person's character or temperament

2. judgment of character from facial features: the use of facial features to judge somebody's character or temperament

3. character or appearance of something: the character or outward appearance of something, e.g. the physical features of a landscape

[13th century. Via French< Greek phusiognōmonia< phusis 'nature' (see physics) + gnomon 'judge' (see gnomon)]

physiognomic [ fízzi ə nómmik ] adjective

physiognomically adverb

physiognomist [ fízzi ónnəmist ] noun