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face

 - 9 dictionary results

face

  [feys] noun, verb, faced, fac⋅ing.
Use face in a Sentence
–noun
1. the front part of the head, from the forehead to the chin.
2. a look or expression on this part: a sad face.
3. an expression or look that indicates ridicule, disgust, etc.; grimace: The child put on a face when told to go to bed.
4. cosmetics; makeup: Excuse me while I go to the powder room to put on my face.
5. impudence; boldness: to have the face to ask such a rude question.
6. outward appearance: These are just old problems with new faces. The future presented a fair face to the fortunate youth.
7. outward show or pretense, esp. as a means of preserving one's dignity or of concealing a detrimental fact, condition, etc.: Though shamed beyond words, he managed to show a bold face.
8. good reputation; dignity; prestige: They hushed up the family scandal to preserve face.
9. the amount specified in a bill or note, exclusive of interest.
10. the manifest sense or express terms, as of a document.
11. the geographic characteristics or general appearance of a land surface.
12. the surface: the face of the earth.
13. the side, or part of a side, upon which the use of a thing depends: the clock's face; the face of a playing card.
14. the most important or most frequently seen side; front: the face of a building.
15. the outer or upper side of a fabric; right side.
16. the acting, striking, or working surface of an implement, tool, etc.
17. Geometry. any of the bounding surfaces of a solid figure: a cube has six faces.
18. Also called working face. Mining. the front or end of a drift or excavation, where the material is being or was last mined.
19. Printing.
a. the working surface of a type, of a plate, etc.
b. Also called typeface, typestyle. any design of type, including a full range of characters, as letters, numbers, and marks of punctuation, in all sizes: Caslon is one of the most popular faces.
c. Also called typeface, typestyle. the general style or appearance of type: broad or narrow face.
20. Nautical, Aeronautics. the rear or after side of a propeller blade (opposed to back ).
21. Fortification. either of the two outer sides that form the salient angle of a bastion or the like.
22. Crystallography. any of the plane surfaces of a crystal.
23. Electronics. faceplate (def. 3).
24. Archaic. sight; presence: to flee from the face of the enemy.
–verb (used with object)
25. to look toward or in the direction of: to face the light.
26. to have the front toward or permit a view of: The building faces Fifth Avenue. The bedroom faces the park.
27. to confront directly: to be faced with a problem; to face the future confidently.
28. to confront courageously, boldly, or impudently (usually fol. by down or out): He could always face down his detractors.
29. to oppose or to meet defiantly: to face fearful odds; Army faces Navy in today's football game.
30. to cover or partly cover with a different material in front: They faced the old wooden house with brick.
31. to finish the edge of a garment with facing.
32. to turn the face of (a playing card) upwards.
33. to dress or smooth the surface of (a stone or the like).
34. to cause (soldiers) to turn to the right, left, or in the opposite direction.
35. Ice Hockey. (of a referee) to put (the puck) in play by dropping it between two opposing players each having his or her stick on the ice and facing the goal of the opponent.
–verb (used without object)
36. to turn or be turned (often fol. by to or toward): She faced toward the sea.
37. to be placed with the front in a certain direction (often fol. by on, to, or toward): The house faces on the street. The barn faces south.
38. to turn to the right, left, or in the opposite direction: Left face!
39. Ice Hockey. to face the puck (often fol. by off).
—Verb phrases
40. face down, to confront boldly or intimidate (an opponent, critic, etc.).
41. face off, Ice Hockey. to start a game or period with a face-off.
42. face up to,
a. to acknowledge; admit: to face up to the facts.
b. to meet courageously; confront: He refused to face up to his problems.
—Idioms
43. face the music. music (def. 9).
44. face to face,
a. facing or opposite one another: We sat face to face at the table.
b. in an open, personal meeting or confrontation: The leaders spoke face to face about a reduction in nuclear arms.
45. face to face with, in close proximity to; narrowly escaping; confronting: face to face with death.
46. fly in the face of. fly 1 (def. 35).
47. get out of someone's face (usually used imperatively)
a. Southern U.S. go away!; leave.
b. Slang. to stop bothering or annoying someone.
48. in the face of,
a. in spite of; notwithstanding: She persevered in the face of many obstacles.
b. when confronted with: They were steadfast in the face of disaster.
49. lose face, to suffer disgrace, humiliation, or embarrassment: It was impossible to apologize publicly without losing face.
50. make a face, to grimace, as in distaste or contempt; contort one's face in order to convey a feeling or to amuse another: She made a face when she was told the work wasn't finished. The children made me laugh by making faces.
51. on the face of it, to outward appearances; superficially; seemingly: On the face of it, there was no hope for a comeback.
52. put on a bold face, to give the appearance of confidence or assurance: Everyone knew that he had been fired, even though he put on a bold face. Also, put a bold face on.
53. save face, to avoid disgrace, humiliation, or embarrassment: She tried to save face by saying that the bill had never arrived.
54. set one's face against, to disapprove strongly of; oppose: My parents have set their face against my becoming an actress.
55. show one's face, to make an appearance; be seen: I would be ashamed to show my face in such an outlandish outfit. Just show your face at the party and then you can leave.
56. to one's face, in one's presence; brazenly; directly: Tell him to his face that he's a liar!
Origin:
1250–1300; (n.) ME < AF, OF < VL *facia, for L faciēs facies; (v.) late ME facen, deriv. of the n.

Related forms:
face⋅a⋅ble, adjective

Synonyms:
1. Face, countenance, visage refer to the front of the (usually human) head. The face is the combination of the features: a face with broad cheekbones. Countenance, a more formal word, denotes the face as it is affected by or reveals the state of mind, and hence often signifies the look or expression on the face: a thoughtful countenance. Visage, still more formal, refers to the face as seen in a certain aspect, esp. as revealing seriousness or severity: a stern visage. 2. appearance, aspect, mien. 7. exterior. 14. façade. 30. veneer.

face⋅plate

  [feys-pleyt]
–noun
1. (on a lathe) a perforated plate, mounted on the live spindle, to which the work is attached.
2. the part of a protective headpiece, as a diver's or astronaut's helmet, that covers the upper portion of the face, often of transparent material and sometimes movable.
3. Also called face. Electronics. the glass front of a cathode ray tube upon which the image is displayed.
4. a protective plate, as one surrounding an electric outlet or light switch.
Compare switch plate.

Origin:
1835–45; face + plate 1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To face
face   (fās)   
n.  

    1. The surface of the front of the head from the top of the forehead to the base of the chin and from ear to ear.

    2. A person: We saw many new faces on the first day of classes.

    3. Value or standing in the eyes of others; prestige: lose face.

    4. Self-assurance; confidence: The team managed to maintain a firm face even in times of great adversity.

    5. The surface presented to view; the front.

    6. A façade.

    7. Outer surface: the face of the earth.

    8. A marked side: the face of a clock; the face of a playing card.

    9. The right side, as of fabric.

    10. An exposed, often precipitous surface of rock.

    11. A typeface or range of typefaces.

    12. The raised printing surface of a piece of type.

  2. A person's countenance: a happy face.

  3. A contorted facial expression; a grimace: made a face at the prospect of eating lemons.

  4. Facial cosmetics: put one's face on.

  5. Outward appearance: the modern face of the city.

    1. Value or standing in the eyes of others; prestige: lose face.

    2. Self-assurance; confidence: The team managed to maintain a firm face even in times of great adversity.

    3. The surface presented to view; the front.

    4. A façade.

    5. Outer surface: the face of the earth.

    6. A marked side: the face of a clock; the face of a playing card.

    7. The right side, as of fabric.

    8. An exposed, often precipitous surface of rock.

    9. A typeface or range of typefaces.

    10. The raised printing surface of a piece of type.

  7. Effrontery; impudence: had the face to question my judgment.

  8. The most significant or prominent surface of an object, especially:

    1. The surface presented to view; the front.

    2. A façade.

    3. Outer surface: the face of the earth.

    4. A marked side: the face of a clock; the face of a playing card.

    5. The right side, as of fabric.

    6. An exposed, often precipitous surface of rock.

    7. A typeface or range of typefaces.

    8. The raised printing surface of a piece of type.

  9. A planar surface of a geometric solid.

  10. Any of the surfaces of a rock or crystal.

  11. The end, as of a mine or tunnel, at which work is advancing.

  12. The appearance and geologic surface features of an area of land; topography.

  13. Printing

    1. A typeface or range of typefaces.

    2. The raised printing surface of a piece of type.

v.   faced, fac·ing, fac·es

v.   tr.

  1. To occupy a position with the face toward: stood and faced the audience.

  2. To front on: a window that faces the south.

    1. To confront with complete awareness: had to face the facts.

    2. To overcome by confronting boldly or bravely: "What this generation must do is face its problems" (John F. Kennedy).

    3. To confront with impudence. See Synonyms at defy.

    4. To be certain to encounter; have in store: An unskilled youth faces a difficult life.

    5. To bring or to be brought face to face with: "The prospect of military conflict . . . faced us with nightmarish choices" (Henry A. Kissinger).

    1. To be certain to encounter; have in store: An unskilled youth faces a difficult life.

    2. To bring or to be brought face to face with: "The prospect of military conflict . . . faced us with nightmarish choices" (Henry A. Kissinger).

  5. To cause (troops) to change direction by giving a command.

  6. Games To turn (a playing card) so that the face is up.

  7. To furnish with a surface or cover of a different material: bronze that is faced with gold foil.

  8. To line or trim the edge of, especially with contrasting material: face a hem with lace.

  9. To treat the surface of so as to smooth.

v.   intr.

  1. To be turned or placed with the front toward a specified direction.

  2. To turn the face in a specified direction.

Phrasal Verb(s):
face downTo attain mastery over or overcome by confronting in a resolute, determined manner: face down an opponent in a debate; faced the enemy down.
face off Sports To start play in ice hockey, lacrosse, and other games by releasing the puck or ball between two opposing players.
face upTo confront an unpleasant situation with resolution and assurance: had to face up or get out; finally faced up to the problem.

Idiom(s):
face the musicTo accept the unpleasant consequences, especially of one's own actions.

Idiom(s):
in the face/teeth ofIn opposition to or defiance of.

Idiom(s):
on the face of itFrom appearances alone; apparently: On the face of it, the problem seems minor.

Idiom(s):
show (one's) faceTo make an appearance: Don't show your face on my property again.

Idiom(s):
to (one's) faceIn the view or hearing of: insulted me to my face.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *facia, from Latin faciēs; see dhē- in Indo-European roots.]
face'a·ble adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

face  (n.)
c.1290, from O.Fr. face, from V.L. *facia, from L. facies "appearance, form, figure," and secondarily "visage, countenance;" probably related to facere "to make" (see factitious). Replaced O.E. andwlita. To face (v.) "confront" is first recorded 1465. To lose face (or save face), 1876, is said to be from Chinese tu lien; to face the music is theatrical. Face-lift (n.) first recorded 1934, from face-lifting (1922).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: face
Function: noun
1 a : outward appearance b : the surface or superficial reading or meaning of something (as a document or statute) that does not take into account outside information face of [the] deed reveals that she had two purposes in mind —State v. Rand, 366 Atlantic Reporter, Second Series 183 (1976)> —often used in the phrases on its face and on the face of on its face but has a discriminatory effect on women —Marcia Coyle> on the face of the amendment that it was precisely directed at public as distinguished from private destruction —O'Brien v. United States, 376 Federal Reporter, Second Series 538 (1967)>
2 : the inscribed or printed side of something (as a document); broadly : the front side of something inscribed or printed on both sides face of a stock certificate>
3 : FACE VALUE
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: face
Pronunciation: 'fAs
Function: noun
often attributive 1 a : the front part of the human head including the chin, mouth, nose,cheeks, eyes, and usually the forehead b : the corresponding part of the head of a lower animal
2 : SURFACE; especially : a front, upper, or outer surface
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

face (fās)
n.

  1. The front portion of the head, from forehead to chin.

  2. Facies.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Bible Dictionary

Face

means simply presence, as when it is recorded that Adam and Eve hid themselves from the "face [R.V., 'presence'] of the Lord God" (Gen. 3:8; comp. Ex. 33:14, 15, where the same Hebrew word is rendered "presence"). The "light of God's countenance" is his favour (Ps. 44:3; Dan. 9:17). "Face" signifies also anger, justice, severity (Gen. 16:6, 8; Ex. 2:15; Ps. 68:1; Rev. 6:16). To "provoke God to his face" (Isa. 65:3) is to sin against him openly. The Jews prayed with their faces toward the temple and Jerusalem (1 Kings 8:38, 44, 48; Dan. 6:10). To "see God's face" is to have access to him and to enjoy his favour (Ps. 17:15; 27:8). This is the privilege of holy angels (Matt. 18:10; Luke 1:19). The "face of Jesus Christ" (2 Cor. 4:6) is the office and person of Christ, the revealer of the glory of God (John 1:14, 18).

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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Idioms & Phrases

face

In addition to the idioms beginning with face, also see at face value; blue in the face; brave face; do an about-face; egg on one's face; feed one's face; fly in the face of; hide one's face; in someone's face; in the face of; in your face; keep a straight face; laugh out of the other side of one's mouth (face); long face; look someone in the face; lose face; make a face; on the face of it; plain as day (the nose on your face); poker face; put one's face on; red in the face; save face; set one's face against; show one's face; slap in the face; stare in the face; stuff one's face; talk one's arm off (until blue in the face); throw in someone's face; to someone's face.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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