phisonomie

Middle English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman phisonomie, Old French fisonomie, Medieval Latin physonomia, via Late Latin physiognōmia from Koine Greek φυσιογνωμίᾱ (phusiognōmíā, physiology), from φύσις (phúsis, form, appearance; character, nature) +‎ γνώμη (gnṓmē, means of knowing).

Noun

phisonomie (plural phisonomies)

  1. physiognomy; the study of a person's physical attributes, particularly facial features, to discern a person's nature or character
  2. the human face; facial expression, countenance

Descendants

  • English: physiognomy, physiognomonics, physiognomist, physiognomize

Further reading