physiognomy
|phys-i-og-no-my|
🇺🇸
/ˌfɪziˈɑːnəmi/
🇬🇧
/ˌfɪzɪˈɒnəmi/
judge by appearance
Etymology
'physiognomy' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'physiognōmonía', where 'physis' meant 'nature' and 'gnōmōn' meant 'one who judges' or 'judge'.
'physiognomy' changed from Medieval Latin 'physiognomia' and Old French 'physionomie', passed through Middle English 'physiognomie', and eventually became the modern English word 'physiognomy'.
Initially, it meant 'the art of judging character from outward appearance'; over time it also acquired the broader sense of 'outward appearance' or 'aspect' used for people, places, or things.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the supposed art or practice of judging a person's character or personality from their outer appearance, especially the face (often regarded as a pseudoscience).
In the 19th century, physiognomy was widely believed to reveal a person's true character.
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Noun 2
the outward appearance or general aspect of something (for example, the physiognomy of a landscape or city), implying features that suggest underlying qualities.
The novel captures the changing physiognomy of the city over decades.
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Last updated: 2025/10/13 04:25