The spelling of the word "discountenancings" might seem intimidating at first glance, but it can easily be broken down by its phonetic transcription: /dɪsˌkaʊnˈtenənsɪŋz/. The prefix "dis-" indicates negation, while the root word "countenance" refers to facial expressions or attitudes. The suffix "-ing" indicates that the word is a verb in present participle form. Therefore, "discountenancings" means to disapprove or discourage something through one's facial expression or attitude. Despite its complex spelling, understanding the phonetics behind this word can help make it more manageable.