physiognomy: Meaning and Definition of

phys•i•og•no•my

Pronunciation: (fiz"ē-og'nu-mē, -on'u-mē), [key]
— pl. -mies.
  1. the face or countenance, esp. when considered as an index to the character: a fierce physiognomy.
  2. Also calledthe art of determining character or personal characteristics from the form or features of the body, esp. of the face.
  3. the outward appearance of anything, taken as offering some insight into its character: the physiognomy of a nation.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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