v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Discountenanced p. pr. & vb. n. Discountenancing ] [ Pref. dis- + countenance: cf. OF. descontenancer, F. décontenancer. ] 1. To ruffle or discompose the countenance of; to put of countenance; to put to shame; to abash. [ 1913 Webster ] How would one look from his majestic brow . . . Discountenance her despised! Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] The hermit was somewhat discountenanced by this observation. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. To refuse to countenance, or give the support of one's approval to; to give one's influence against; to restrain by cold treatment; to discourage. [ 1913 Webster ] A town meeting was convened to discountenance riot. Bancroft. [ 1913 Webster ] |