Four views of the head, 19th century illustration. Physiognomy is the practice of assessing a person's character or personality from their outer appearance especially the face. The term can also refer to the general appearance of a person, object, or terrain without reference to its implied characteristics. Physiognomy as understood in the past meets the contemporary definition of a pseudoscience. Popular in the 19th century, it has been used as a basis for scientific racism. Copperplate engraving from the Encyclopaedia Londinensis, or Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Literature; Volume XX; Edited by Wilkes, John. Published in 1825.