Dictionary

physiognomist en · NOUN

Etymology

Etymology tree English physiognomy Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íd͏̌d͏̌ō Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō) Proto-Hellenic *-tās Ancient Greek -τής (-tḗs) Ancient Greek -ῐστής (-ĭstḗs)bor. Latin -istader. Old French -istebor. Middle English -ist English -ist English physiognomist From physiognomy + -ist.

Meanings

1. One who studies, or is an expert in, physiognomy; one who studies the outer appearance of the person (primarily the face) to acquire knowledge of the inner personality.
   • We shall never be able to claim any credit as a physiognomist again, for, after a careful scrutiny of this gentleman's countenance, we had come to the conclusion that it bespoke nothing but conceit and silliness, when our friend with the silver staff whispered in our ear that he was no other than a doctor of civil law. 1836, “Boz” [pseudonym; Charles Dickens], Sketches by “Boz,” Illustrative of Every-day Life, and Every-day People. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: John Macrone, […], →OCLC, chapter 8:

Forms

Translations (8)

de Gesichtsleser (one who studies physiognomy) · fi fysiognomi (one who studies physiognomy) · de Physiognomikerin (one who studies physiognomy) · de Physiognomiker (one who studies physiognomy) · de Gesichtsleserin (one who studies physiognomy) · fr physiognomoniste (one who studies physiognomy) · pl fizjonomista (one who studies physiognomy) · el φυσιογνωμιστής (one who studies physiognomy)