Contenance

The word Contenance (pronounced [ kõtənɑːs ] - hence CONTENANCE written, via the Old French contenance from the Latin continentia , for " modesty , restraint, abstinence , self-discipline , self-control," borrowed ; Nebenform: continence ) means " attitude ", "version" or " calmness " as well as calmness and prudence in difficult situations of interaction and communication .

Maintaining composure can create tactical superiority in some situations and prevent escalation . In the upper classes in particular, maintaining composure serves to promote distinction .

Frequently used linguistic expressions are "keep your composure" or "lose your composure".

Quotes

"What the French call composure, poise and harmony in outward behavior, equanimity, avoidance of all impetuousness, all passionate outbursts and hastiness, a person with a lively temperament should do his best."

- Adolph Freiherr Knigge : On dealing with people , 5th edition, 1808

Web links

Wiktionary: Contenance  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Accounts - Duden , 2018; there (also) classified as a "minor form" - but this only refers to the other spelling (see also minor form )
2. ↑ Accounts - DWDS , 2019
3. ↑ Continence - Duden , 2018; u. a. also with "abstinence"
4. ↑ Continence - DWDS , 2019
5. ↑ Pierer's Universal Lexikon, Volume 4. Altenburg 1858, p. 407. on zeno.org
6. ↑ Brockhaus' Kleines Konversations-Lexikon, 5th ed., Vol. 1. Leipzig 1911., p. 363. on zeno.org
7. ↑ on google books