frown

frown
\ \ [14] Probably the underlying notion of frowning is ‘snorting’ rather than ‘wrinkling the brows’. It comes from Old French froignier, which meant ‘snort’ as well as ‘frown’. It is assumed to have been adopted into French from a Celtic language of Gaul, and would therefore have been related to Welsh ffroennostril’.

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

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  • frown´er — frown «frown», noun, verb. –n. 1. a wrinkling of the forehead in deep thought, anger, or disapproval: »a frown of concentration. 2. any expression or show of disapproval: »Her very frowns are fairer far Than smiles of other maidens are (Hartley… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Frown — (froun), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Frowned} (fround); p. pr. & vb. n. {Frowning}.] [OF. froignier, F. frogner, in se refrogner, se renfrogner, to knit the brow, to frown; perh. of Teutonic origin; cf. It. in frigno wrinkled, frowning, Prov. It.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • frown — vb Frown, scowl, glower, lower, gloom are comparable when they mean to put on a dark or malignant countenance or aspect. Frown commonly implies a stern face and contracted brows that express displeasure, disapprobation, anger, or contempt {that… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Frown — Frown, v. t. To repress or repel by expressing displeasure or disapproval; to rebuke with a look; as, frown the impudent fellow into silence. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • frown — frown·er; frown·ing·ly; frown; …   English syllables

  • Frown — Frown, n. 1. A wrinkling of the face in displeasure, rebuke, etc.; a sour, severe, or stern look; a scowl. [1913 Webster] His front yet threatens, and his frowns command. Prior. [1913 Webster] Her very frowns are fairer far Than smiles of other… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • frown — [v1] scowl cloud up*, do a slow burn*, give a dirty look*, give the evil eye*, glare, gloom, glower, grimace, knit brows*, look black*, look daggers*, look stern*, lower, pout, sulk; concept 185 Ant. grin, smile frown [v2] disapprove deprecate,… …   New thesaurus

  • frown — ► VERB 1) furrow one s brows in an expression indicating disapproval, displeasure, or concentration. 2) (frown on/upon) disapprove of. ► NOUN ▪ an expression of this type. DERIVATIVES frowning adjective. ORIGIN …   English terms dictionary

  • frown on — index disfavor Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • frown on — frown (up)on (Roget s Thesaurus II) verb To have or express an unfavorable opinion of: deprecate, disapprove, discountenance, disesteem, disfavor, object. Idioms: hold no brief for, not go for, take a dim view of, take exception to. See LIKE …   English dictionary for students

  • frown on — (something) to disapprove of something. You can wear jeans, but I think the restaurant frowns on shorts and sneakers …   New idioms dictionary

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