Definition of: physiognomy

(fiz′ē·og′nə·mē, esp. Brit. fiz′ē·on′ə·mē) noun plural ·mies
1. The face or features as revealing character or disposition.
2. The outward look of a thing.
3. The art of reading character by the lineaments of the face or form of the body. [<OF fiznomie <Med. L phisnomia <Gk. physiognōmonia the judging of a man's nature (by his features) <physis nature + gnōmōn, -onos a judge]
—phys′i·og·nom′ic (-og·nom′ik) or ·i·cal adjective
—phys′i·og·nom′i·cal·ly adverb
—phys′i·og′no·mist noun