Webster
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Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Frown

Frown (frouu), v. i. [imp. &, p. p. Frowned; 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. frignare to cringe the face, to make a wry face, dial. Sw. fryna to make a wry face,] 1. To contract the brow in displeasure, severity, or sternness; to scowl; to put on a stern, grim, or surly look.

The frowning wrinkle of her brow. Shak.

2. To manifest displeasure or disapprobation; to look with disfavor or threateningly; to lower; as, polite society frowns upon rudeness.

The sky doth frown and lower upon our army. Shak.

Frown, v. t. To repress or repel by expressing displeasure or disapproval; to rebuke with a look; as, frown the impudent fellow into silence.

Frown, n. 1. A wrinkling of the face in displeasure, rebuke, etc.; a sour, severe, or stere look; a scowl.

His front yet threatens, and his frowns command. Prior.

Her very frowns are fairer far Than smiles of other maidens are. H. Coleridge.

2. Any expression of displeasure; as, the frowns of Providence; the frowns of Fortune.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Noah Porter, editor (Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913). Public domain. Text as transcribed by MICRA, Inc., from Project Gutenberg. Changed for Deep Dive Bible: Greek, which our source spelled in Latin letters, set in Greek letters; entries of one spelling merged into one article; Greek words our source left out (shown as “?”), read from the 1898 printing, from the same plates (the Library of Congress’s copy), where the place could be found with certainty.