demeanor

Etymology

From Middle English demenen, demeinen, from Anglo-Norman demener, from Old French demener, from de- + mener (“to conduct, lead”) + -or, from Latin *mināre (“to drive”) and Latin minārī (“to project or jut forth”).

noun

1. (American spelling) The social, non-verbal behaviours (such as body language and facial expressions) that are characteristic of a person.
   The man's demeanor made others suspicious of his intentions.
   A confident demeanor is crucial for persuading others.
   At this present (saith he) certeine princes of Britaine, procuring by ambassadors and dutifull demeanors the amitie of the emperour Augustus, haue offered in the capitoll vnto the gods presents or gifts, and haue ordeined the whole Ile in a manner to be appertinent, proper, and familiar to the Romans. a. 1587, Raphael Holinshed, quoting Strabo, Historie of England, Book III
   Demeanors that are apologetic and overly polite are inherently contradictory to demeanors that exhibit fear and anger. 1993, “Interrogation: The Kinesics Technique”, in John J. Fay, editor, Encyclopedia of Security Management, page 418