physiognomy
Reading character facially
Physiognomy is a person's facial features or facial expression, especially when regarded as revealing character or temperament.
The word often appears in literary contexts: His stern physiognomy suggested a man not easily amused.
Historically, physiognomy also referred to the pseudoscientific practice of judging someone's character from their face—a practice now discredited but influential in its time.
The word carries a somewhat formal or old-fashioned tone.
Face or expression
- visageFace or expression
- mienManner reflecting character
- featuresDistinctive qualities or aspects
- lineamentsDistinctive facial features
profile · expression · aspect · look · appearance · complexion · brow · jawline
Skull-bump personality assessment
- LavaterSwiss physiognomy theorist
- debunkedExposed as fraudulent
- quackeryFraudulent medical practice
- discreditedProven unworthy of trust
Inborn behavioral nature
- dispositionInherent character or arrangement
- natureInherent quality or disposition
- personalityCharacteristic mental patterns
- traitsDistinguishing personal features
soul · essence · qualities · spirit · constitution · persona · archetype · demeanor
Formal evaluation of worth
- inferenceConclusion reached through reasoning
- impressionEffect on the mind
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
- stereotypeFixed oversimplified notion
prejudice · discrimination · assumption · profiling · misjudgment · fallacy · misconception · superficial
Head's bone casing
- craniumSkull bone structure
- mandibleLower facial bone
- maxillaUpper jaw bone
- orbitalRevolving around another
bone-structure · skeletal · craniofacial · morphology · cranial
Skull dimension analysis
- biometricsBody-based identity verification
- calipersAdjustable-jaw measuring device
- measurementDetermining size or amount
- anthropometricsHuman body measurement study
countenance
Face or expression
lineaments · profile · expression · aspect · look · appearance · complexion · brow · jawline · cheekbones
phrenology
Skull-bump personality assessment
temperament
Inborn behavioral nature
- dispositionInherent character or arrangement
- natureInherent quality or disposition
- personalityCharacteristic mental patterns
traits · soul · essence · qualities · spirit · constitution · persona · archetype · demeanor · bearing
assessment
Formal evaluation of worth
- inferenceConclusion reached through reasoning
- impressionEffect on the mind
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
stereotype · prejudice · discrimination · assumption · profiling · misjudgment · fallacy · misconception · superficial
skull
Head's bone casing
orbital · bone-structure · skeletal · craniofacial · morphology · cranial
craniometry
Skull dimension analysis
- biometricsBody-based identity verification
- calipersAdjustable-jaw measuring device
- measurementDetermining size or amount
- obsolete sciencephlogiston, aether, phlogiston theory, ether, caloric
- body lorepalm reading, palmistry, phrenology, face reading, reflexology
- face conceptsvisage, expression, countenance, features, gaze
- Facechin, cheeks, cheek, nose, mouth
- premodern sciencesalchemy, astrology, natural philosophy, geocentrism, four elements
- criminologycrime, criminology, criminal behavior, criminologist, criminalization
physiognomypsychology
Study of mind, behavior
psyche · soul · character · personality · mind
physiognomyappendage
Projecting body part
limbs · torso · extremities · physique · body
physiognomypsychology
Study of mind, behavior
psychometrics · neuroscience · psychiatry · behavioral science · behavioral analysis