The Clue
Countenances (9 letter answer)
The Answer
SANCTIONS
Tags
Notes
The answer SANCTIONS is so rare that it appears less than once every 2500 puzzles.
Definition
SANCTION as a noun:
1. (sanction, countenance, endorsement, indorsement, warrant, imprimatur) = formal and explicit approval; "a Democrat usually gets the union's endorsement"
2. a mechanism of social control for enforcing a society's standards
3. (authority, authorization, authorisation, sanction) = official permission or approval; "authority for the program was renewed several times"
4. the act of final authorization; "it had the sanction of the church"
SANCTION as a verb:
1. (approve, O.K., okay, sanction) = give sanction to; "I approve of his educational policies"
2. give authority or permission to
3. give religious sanction to, such as through on oath; "sanctify the marriage"