Physiognomy
noun
The general form or appearance of something or someone, especially the face.
The detective developed a deep understanding of criminals by closely observing their physiognomy.
Often appears as...
- person's physiognomy
- study of physiognomy
Usage tips
Formal
noun
The practice of judging character or personality from someone's outer appearance, especially the face.
In ancient times, physiognomy was often used as a way to predict a person's future behavior.
Often appears as...
- study of physiognomy
- ancient physiognomy
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
noun
The characteristic expression of a type or group of plants or animals.
The physiognomy of the forest changes dramatically between the rainy and dry seasons.
Often appears as...
- plant physiognomy
- animal physiognomy
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
noun
The general form or appearance of something or someone, especially the face.
The detective developed a deep understanding of criminals by closely observing their physiognomy.
Often appears as...
- person's physiognomy
- study of physiognomy
Usage tips
Formal
noun
The practice of judging character or personality from someone's outer appearance, especially the face.
In ancient times, physiognomy was often used as a way to predict a person's future behavior.
Often appears as...
- study of physiognomy
- ancient physiognomy
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
noun
The characteristic expression of a type or group of plants or animals.
The physiognomy of the forest changes dramatically between the rainy and dry seasons.
Often appears as...
- plant physiognomy
- animal physiognomy
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Facial Focus
Physiognomy often refers to characteristics of the face, but can imply the whole body's appearance too.
Her serene physiognomy brought a sense of calm to the room.
Pro Tip 2/3Descriptive Nuance
Using 'physiognomy' adds a descriptive nuance, indicating a detailed observation, not just a glance.
The sketch artist captured the suspect’s physiognomy perfectly.
Pro Tip 3/3Metaphorical Use
Physiognomy can be used metaphorically to describe the 'face' or characteristics of things.
The ancient house's physiognomy revealed its long history.
Pro Tip 1/3Facial Focus
Physiognomy often refers to characteristics of the face, but can imply the whole body's appearance too.
Her serene physiognomy brought a sense of calm to the room.
Pro Tip 2/3Descriptive Nuance
Using 'physiognomy' adds a descriptive nuance, indicating a detailed observation, not just a glance.
The sketch artist captured the suspect’s physiognomy perfectly.
Pro Tip 3/3Metaphorical Use
Physiognomy can be used metaphorically to describe the 'face' or characteristics of things.
The ancient house's physiognomy revealed its long history.
Pro Tip 1/3Facial Focus
Physiognomy often refers to characteristics of the face, but can imply the whole body's appearance too.
Her serene physiognomy brought a sense of calm to the room.
Pro Tip 2/3Descriptive Nuance
Using 'physiognomy' adds a descriptive nuance, indicating a detailed observation, not just a glance.
The sketch artist captured the suspect’s physiognomy perfectly.
Pro Tip 3/3Metaphorical Use
Physiognomy can be used metaphorically to describe the 'face' or characteristics of things.
The ancient house's physiognomy revealed its long history.
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Video examples
Joyce Poole: The...
who's who and whereabouts databases the who's who is a unique registry of individual elephants that is searchable by physiognomy characteristics and it's linked by individuals to what we call the whereabouts database that houses all
Video examples
Joyce Poole: The...
who's who and whereabouts databases the who's who is a unique registry of individual elephants that is searchable by physiognomy characteristics and it's linked by individuals to what we call the whereabouts database that houses all
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Henry Walter Bates
English Environmentalist
Their elegant shape, showy colours, and slow, sailing mode of flight, make them very attractive objects, and their numbers are so great that they form quite a feature in the physiognomy of the forest, compensating for the scarcity of flowers.
Quote examples
Rudolf Steiner
Austrian Philosopher
It is one of the sternest judgments confronting a human being after death that insofar as he is himself evil, he can see only what resembles himself because he can reproduce in his own being only the physiognomy of other evil people.
Quote examples
Paracelsus
Swiss Scientist
If we want to make a statement about a man's nature on the basis of his physiognomy, we must take everything into account; it is in his distress that a man is tested, for then his nature is revealed.
Quote examples
Paul Cezanne
French Artist
People think how a sugar basin has no physiognomy, no soul. But it changes every day.
Quote examples
Bobby Darin
American Musician
You're either sexy or you're not. I'm very self-conscious about my physiognomy.
Quote examples
Henry Walter Bates
English Environmentalist
Their elegant shape, showy colours, and slow, sailing mode of flight, make them very attractive objects, and their numbers are so great that they form quite a feature in the physiognomy of the forest, compensating for the scarcity of flowers.
Quote examples
Rudolf Steiner
Austrian Philosopher
It is one of the sternest judgments confronting a human being after death that insofar as he is himself evil, he can see only what resembles himself because he can reproduce in his own being only the physiognomy of other evil people.
Quote examples
Paracelsus
Swiss Scientist
If we want to make a statement about a man's nature on the basis of his physiognomy, we must take everything into account; it is in his distress that a man is tested, for then his nature is revealed.
Quote examples
Paul Cezanne
French Artist
People think how a sugar basin has no physiognomy, no soul. But it changes every day.
Quote examples
Bobby Darin
American Musician
You're either sexy or you're not. I'm very self-conscious about my physiognomy.
Example 1 of 5
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