From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Physiognomy \Phys'i*og"no*my\, noun; pl. {Physiognomies}. [OE. fisonomie, phisonomie, fisnamie, OF. phisonomie, F. physiognomie, physiognomonie, from Gr. ?; fy'sis nature + ? one who knows or examines, a judge, fr. ?, ?, 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.
2. The face or countenance, with respect to the temper of the mind; particular configuration, cast, or expression of countenance, as denoting character.
3. The art telling fortunes by inspection of the features. [Obs.] --Bale.
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.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
noun
1: the human face ('kisser' and 'smiler' and 'mug' are informal terms for 'face' and 'phiz' is British) [syn: {countenance}, {phiz}, {visage}, {kisser}, {smiler}, {mug}]
From THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY ((C)1911 Released April 15 1993) [devils]:
PHYSIOGNOMY, noun The art of determining the character of another by the resemblances and differences between his face and our own, which is the standard of excellence.
"There is no art," says Shakespeare, foolish man, "To read the mind's construction in the face." The physiognomists his portrait scan, And say: "How little wisdom here we trace! He knew his face disclosed his mind and heart, So, in his own defence, denied our art." Lavatar Shunk
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