physiognomy

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
physiognomy /ˌfɪzɪˈɒ(g)nəmi/

▶noun (pl. physiognomies)

• 1 a person's facial features or expression, especially when regarded as indicative of character or ethnic origin.

• 2 the supposed art of judging character from facial characteristics.

– derivatives
physiognomic adjective,
physiognomical adjective,
physiognomically adverb,
physiognomist noun.

– origin ME: from OFr. phisonomie, via med. L. from Gk phusiognōmonia ‘judging of a man's nature (by his features)’, based on gnōmōn ‘judge or interpreter’.