mien

name

1. A group of related languages spoken by the Yao people.

noun

Etymology: From French mine (“appearance”) (whence also Danish mine and German Miene), perhaps from Breton min (“face of an animal”), or from Latin minio (“to redden”).

1. Demeanor; facial expression or attitude, especially one which is intended by its bearer.

   “Gentlest Guardians marked serene / His early hope, his liberal mien; […]”

   “Beauty, like all divine gifts, is everywhere to be seen by the eye of the faithful admirer of nature; and, like all spirits, she is scarcely to be described by words. Her countenance and mien, her path, her hue and carriage, often surpass expression, and soothe the enthusiast into reverie and silence.”

2. A specific facial expression.

   “It’s hard to say which is worse: the press-on smiles favored by many a ballet dancer, or the stony “I’m going to pretend this isn’t happening to me” miens often found in contemporary troupes like White Road.”