Emily Dickinson Lexicon

COUN'TE-NANCE, v.t.

1. To favor; to encourage by opinion or words. The design was made known to the minister, but he said nothing to countenance it. – Anon.
2. To aid; to support; to encourage; to abet; to vindicate, by any means. Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause. – Ex. xxiii.
3. To encourage; to appear in defense. He countenanced the landing in his long boat. – Wotton.
4. To make a show of. Each to these ladies love did countenance. – Spenser.
5. To keep an appearance. – Shak.