Definition

1. Noun:
   • The human face: An informal, chiefly British term for a person's face or facial expression. It is a shortened form of "physiognomy."
   • A person: Hablot Knight Browne (1815-1882), an English illustrator known for his work under the pseudonym "Phiz," particularly for illustrating several novels by Charles Dickens.

Usage Examples

• Noun (referring to the face): He had a cheerful phiz that made everyone feel welcome. What a sour phiz he's wearing today!

• Noun (referring to the illustrator): The edition of "David Copperfield" features the original engravings by Phiz. Phiz's illustrations perfectly captured the spirit of Dickens's characters.

Advanced Usage

• "Phiz" is an archaic and informal term. Its use today is primarily humorous, literary, or historical. It is rarely used in modern, everyday conversation.
• When capitalized (Phiz), it refers specifically to the illustrator Hablot Knight Browne.

Variants and Related Words

• Physiognomy (n): The original, more formal word meaning the art of judging character from facial features, or simply the face or facial expression.
• Countenance (n): A more formal synonym for face or facial expression.
• Visage (n): A literary term for the face.

Synonyms

• Face
• Mug (informal)
• Kisser (informal)
• Smiler (informal)
• Countenance (formal/literary)

Related Idioms

• To pull a long phiz: To have a sad, disappointed, or gloomy facial expression.
• A merry phiz: A happy or cheerful face.

Noun

1. the human face (`kisser' and `smiler' and `mug' are informal terms for `face' and `phiz' is British)
2. English illustrator of several of Dickens' novels (1815-1882)