verb (used with object), dis·coun·te·nanced, dis·coun·te·nanc·ing.
- to disconcert, embarrass, or abash: With his composure, he survived every attempt to discountenance him.
- to show disapproval of: The teachers discountenanced smoking by the students.
noun
- disapproval; disapprobation.
verb (tr)
- to make ashamed or confused
- to disapprove of
noun
- disapproval
“put to shame,” 1570s, from Middle French descontenancer (16c.) “to abash,” from des- (see dis-) + contenancer (see countenance).