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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.
EXPANDimpudence; 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, especially 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.
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.
COLLAPSEArchaic. 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 followed by down or out): He could always face down his detractors.
29.
EXPANDto 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.
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In face of
is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
| an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle. |
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
verb (used without object)
Verb phrases36.
to turn or be turned (often followed by to or toward): She faced toward the sea.
37.
to be placed with the front in a certain direction (often followed 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 followed by off).
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.
Idiomsface 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.
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. fly1 (def. 35).
47.
EXPANDget 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.
COLLAPSEto one's face, in one's presence; brazenly; directly: Tell him to his face that he's a liar!
Origin:
1250–1300; (noun) Middle English < Anglo-French, Old French < Vulgar Latin *facia, for Latin faciēs facies; (v.) late Middle English facen, derivative of the noun
1250–1300; (noun) Middle English < Anglo-French, Old French < Vulgar Latin *facia, for Latin faciēs facies; (v.) late Middle English facen, derivative of the noun
Related forms
face·a·ble, adjective
sub·face, noun
un·der·face, noun
un·der·face, verb (used with object), un·der·faced, un·der·fac·ing.
un·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, especially as revealing seriousness or severity: a stern visage. 2. appearance, aspect, mien. 7. exterior. 14. façade. 30. veneer.
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, especially as revealing seriousness or severity: a stern visage. 2. appearance, aspect, mien. 7. exterior. 14. façade. 30. veneer.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To in face of
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
face
late 13c., 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 mid-15c. Related: Faced.
EXPANDFacing front or outer part of a wall, building, etc., is from 1823. To lose face (or save face), 1876, is said to be from Chinese tu lien; to face the music is theatrical. Face value was originally (1878) of bank notes, postage stamps, etc.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
face (fās)
n.
The front portion of the head, from forehead to chin.
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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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
face  (fās) Pronunciation Key
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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