Physiognomy (from the Greek φύσις, 'physis', meaning "nature", and 'gnomon', meaning "judge" or "interpreter") is the practice of assessing a person's character or personality from their outer appearance—especially the face.

Notions of the relationship between an individual's outward appearance and inner character are historically ancient.

The first indications of a developed physiognomic theory appear in 5th century BC Athens, with the works of Zopyrus, who was said to be an expert in the art. By the 4th century BC, the philosopher Aristotle made frequent reference to theory and literature concerning the relationship of appearance to character.

Leonardo da Vinci dismissed physiognomy in the early 16th century as "false", a chimera with "no scientific foundation". Nevertheless, Leonardo believed that lines caused by facial expressions could indicate personality traits. For example, he wrote that "those who have deep and noticeable lines between the eyebrows are irascible".

The principal promoter of physiognomy in modern times was the Swiss pastor Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) who was briefly a friend of Goethe. Lavater's essays on physiognomy were first published in German in 1772 and gained great popularity. These influential essays were translated into French and English.

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