visnomy Now arch. or dial.
(ˈvɪznəmɪ)
Also 6 vyse-, vice-, visnamy, visenomy, visnomye, -nomie, 9 viznomy (dial. visomy).
[var. of ME. fisnomye: see physiognomy.]
1. = physiognomy 3.
| 1509 Hawes Past. Pleas. (1555) R iij b, For you are euill fauoured, and also vgly, I am the worse, to se your visnamy. 1556 Olde Antichrist 70 The..Prophet Daniel, and the Apostle Paule: which paynt out Antichristes visnomye unto us wyth suche lyght and euidence. 1591 Spenser Muiopot. 311 Each of the Gods by his like visnomie Eathe to be knowen. 1605 Chapman All Fools ii. i. 159 Then with a bell regard advant mine eye With boldnes on her verie visnomie. 1640 Brome Sparagus Gard. iii. v, You seldom see a Poet look out at a good Visnomy. |
| 1818 Scott Br. Lamm. xvi, The loon has woodie written on his very visnomy. 1821 ― Kenilw. x, My own ugly viznomy. 1822 Lamb Elia Ser. i. Distant Correspondents, Who would consult his sweet visnomy, if the polished surface were two or three minutes..in giving back its copy. 1838 J. P. Kennedy Rob of Bowl ii, A thick gray moustache gave a martial and veteran air to his visnomy. |
† 2. = physiognomy 2.
Obs.—1| c 1540 Copland Hye Way to Spyttel Ho. 452 For all the seuen scyences surely he can; And is sure in physyk and palmestry, In augury, sothsayeng and vysenamy. |