face
face (fās)
noun
- the front of the head from the top of the forehead to the bottom of the chin, and from ear to ear; visage; countenance
- the expression of the countenance
- a surface of a thing; esp.,
- the front, upper, or outer surface or part
- any one of the surfaces of a geometric figure or crystal
- the side or surface that is marked, as of a clock, playing card, domino, etc., or that is finished, as of fabric, leather, etc.
- the appearance; outward aspect; semblance
- facial makeup; cosmetics: used chiefly in the phrases do one's face and put one's face on
- dignity; self-respect; prestigeused chiefly in the phrase lose (or save) face lose (or save) face
- the topography (of an area)
- the functional or striking surface (of a tool, golf club, etc.)
- what is shown by the language of a document, without explanation or addition
- Informal effrontery; audacity
- Mining the end of a tunnel, drift, etc., where work is being done
- Printing
- the type surface on which a letter is cut; printing part of a letter or plate
- the full selection of type of a certain design
Etymology: ME < OFr < VL facia < L facies, the face, appearance < base of facere, do
transitive verb faced, facing fac′·ing
- to turn, or have the face or front turned, toward the building faces the square
- to meet or confront squarely or face to face
- to confront with boldness, courage, etc.
- to acknowledge and accept (facts, the truth, etc.)
- to put another material on the surface of
- to level and smooth the surface of (esp. a block of stone)
- to turn (a card, etc.) with the face up
- Mil. to cause (a formation of soldiers) to pivot by giving the appropriate command
- Sewing to apply a facing to (a collar, edge, etc.)
Etymology: ME facen < the n.
intransitive verb
- to turn, or have the face turned, toward a specified thing or person, or in a specified direction
- Mil. to pivot in a specified direction: usually in the form of a command right face!
be (or get) in someone's face
☆face down
face off
- Hockey to start or resume play with a face-off
- Informal to confront one another as opponents or adversaries candidates face off in an election
- Informal to take a position opposing: with against or with Congress faced off against the President
face to face
- confronting each other
- very near; in the presence: followed by with
face up to
- to face with courage; confront and resist
- to realize and be ready to meet (a condition, fact, etc.)
fly in the face of
in the face of
- in the presence of
- in spite of
make a face
on the face of it
put a bold face on
set one's face against
show one's face
to someone's face
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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