countenance

n 1: the appearance conveyed by a person's face; "a pleasant

countenance"; "a stern visage" [syn: {visage}]

2: formal and explicit approval [syn: {sanction}, {endorsement},

{warrant}, {imprimatur}]

3: the human face (`kisser' and `smiler' and `mug' are informal

terms for `face') [syn: {physiognomy}, {visage}, {kisser},

{smiler}, {mug}]

v : give permission; "She permitted her son to visit her

estranged husband"; "I won't let the police search her

basement"; "I cannot allow you to see your exam" [syn: {permit},

{allow}, {let}] [ant: {forbid}, {forbid}]

maintenance

The modification of a software product, after

delivery, to correct faults, to improve performance or other

attributes, or to adapt the product to a changed environment.

Maintenance is an important part of the {software life-cycle}.

It is expensive in manpower and resources, and one of the aims

of {software engineering} is to reduce its cost.

(1996-12-27)