From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Physiognomy \Phys`i*og"no*my\ (f[i^]z`[i^]*[o^]g"n[o^]*m[y^];
277), n.; pl. {Physiognomies}
(f[i^]z`[i^]*[o^]g"n[o^]*m[i^]z). [OE. fisonomie, phisonomie,
fisnamie, OF. phisonomie, F. physiognomie, physiognomonie,
from Gr. fysiognwmoni`a; fy`sis nature + gnw`mwn one who
knows or examines, a judge, fr. gnw^mai, gignw`skein, to
know. See {Physic}, and {Know}, and cf. {Phiz}.]
1. The art and science of discovering the predominant temper,
and other characteristic qualities of the mind, by the
outward appearance, especially by the features of the
face.
[1913 Webster]
2. The face or countenance, especially viewed as an
indication of the temper of the mind; particular
configuration, cast, or expression of countenance, as
denoting character.
[1913 Webster]
3. The art telling fortunes by inspection of the features.
[Obs.] --Bale.
[1913 Webster]
4. The general appearance or aspect of a thing, without
reference to its scientific characteristics; as, the
physiognomy of a plant, or of a meteor.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
physiognomy
n 1: the human face (`kisser' and `smiler' and `mug' are
informal terms for `face' and `phiz' is British) [syn:
{countenance}, {physiognomy}, {phiz}, {visage}, {kisser},
{smiler}, {mug}]
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