coun·te·nance / ˈkountn-əns/ • n. 1. a person's face or facial expression.2. support.• v. [tr.] admit as acceptable or possible: he countenanced the use of force.PHRASES: keep one's countenance maintain one's composure, esp. by refraining from laughter.

countenance †demeanour, conduct; composure XIII; †aspect, appearance; facial look or expression; face, visage XIV; moral support XVI. — AN. c(o)untenaunce, (O)F. contenance bearing, behaviour, mien, contents, f. contenir maintain (oneself), CONTAIN; see -ANCE.
Hence countenance vb. †make a show (of), pretend XV; †face out; †set off; give support to XVI.