Relating to the assessment of a person's character or personality from their facial features or outward appearance; pertaining to the art of physiognomy. It's a term that explores the correlation, often considered pseudoscientific or outdated, between physical traits and inner qualities. physiognomic analysis historically involved interpreting features like the shape of the nose, the set of the eyes, or the curve of the lips to deduce someone's temperament, intelligence, or moral standing. The field has its roots in ancient times and has been employed, albeit questionably, to determine truthfulness and predict behavior. Modern usage is primarily in a historical, literary, or sometimes satirical context.
Physiognomic meaning with examples
- The detective, adhering to outdated physiognomic principles, scrutinized the suspect's furrowed brow and narrow eyes, hoping to discern signs of deceit. He felt that it was only a matter of time before he found the culprit based on physiognomic observations alone.
- In the 18th-century novel, the author described the villain with harsh physiognomic details: a hooked nose, thin lips, and shifty eyes, signaling his inherently wicked nature based on physiognomy, painting a picture of someone inherently dishonest.
- Though skeptical of its validity, the artist employed physiognomic sketches to explore the complexities of human emotion, attempting to translate feeling through carefully drawn faces. The resulting art played on physiognomic principles, depicting sorrow or joy simply based on facial features.
- The satirist ridiculed the politician's claim to superior leadership, pointing out the physiognomic arrogance in his puffed-up chest and upward-tilted chin. This physiognomic observation played on popular views of character.