Words / C2

KOWNT-uh-n-uh-ns/ˈkaʊntənəns/

To countenance is to admit as acceptable, to tolerate or give approval (formal): will not countenance, refuse to countenance a delay. To allow (already in the dictionary) is everyday permission; to brook (already in the dictionary) is to tolerate, usually in “brook no…”, and a sanction (already in the dictionary) is official permission — or a penalty. Recalcitrant (already in the dictionary) is stubbornly uncooperative — the opposite flavour. A ranking film is not a reason to bless an empty cell.

Meaning

To admit as acceptable; to tolerate or give approval (formal).

Examples

• “Do not countenance an empty cell because the ranking film is due.”
• “To allow is everyday permission (already in A2). To brook is to tolerate, usually negatively (already in C2). A sanction is permission or a penalty (already in C1). Recalcitrant is stubbornly uncooperative (already in C2) — the contrast. A dated figure can still prop a paper. Approval that never states the n is decoration. Write the number; then the campaign.”

Good to know

Tolerate; give approval (formal). Everyday: allow (already in this dictionary). Close: brook (already in C2); sanction (already in C1). Contrast: recalcitrant (already in C2). A film is not an n.

Near in meaning

tolerate, permit, endorse, sanction

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