on the face of it
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, 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.
20.
Nautical, Aeronautics. the rear or after side of a propeller blade (opposed to back ).
21.
22.
Crystallography. any of the plane surfaces of a crystal.
23.
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 followed 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.
00:10
On the face of it
is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
| a printed punctuation mark (‽), available only in some typefaces, designed to combine the question mark (?) and the exclamation point (!), indicating a mixture of query and interjection, as after a rhetorical question. |
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
verb (used without object)
Verb phrases 36.
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.
Idioms 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.
43.
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.
47.
get out of someone's face,
a.
Southern U.S. go away!; leave.
b.
Slang. to stop bothering or annoying someone.
48.
in someone’s face,
a.
in a confrontational way that shows annoyance or contempt: When I asked for money, he just laughed in my face.
b.
Slang. confrontational toward someone, as by criticizing or annoying persistently: My dad got in my face about my bad grades.
49.
in your face, Slang.
a.
(usually used imperatively to tease someone or flaunt something in a confrontational way): We won the game. In your face!
b.
involving confrontation; defiant; provocative: His political commentary is always in your face. See also in-your-face.
50.
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.
51.
lose face, to suffer disgrace, humiliation, or embarrassment: It was impossible to apologize publicly without losing face.
52.
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.
53.
on the face of it, to outward appearances; superficially; seemingly: On the face of it, there was no hope for a comeback.
54.
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.
55.
save face, to avoid disgrace, humiliation, or embarrassment: She tried to save face by saying that the bill had never arrived.
56.
set one's face against, to disapprove strongly of; oppose: My parents have set their face against my becoming an actress.
57.
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.
58.
to 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. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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|
Link To on the face of it
Collins
World English Dictionary
face (feɪs) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a. the front of the head from the forehead to the lower jaw; visage |
| b. (as modifier): face flannel; face cream | |
| 2. | a. the expression of the countenance; look: a sad face |
| b. a distorted expression, esp to indicate disgust; grimace: she made a face | |
| 3. | informal make-up (esp in the phrase put one's face on) |
| 4. | outward appearance: the face of the countryside is changing |
| 5. | appearance or pretence (esp in the phrases put a bold, good, bad, etc, face on) |
| 6. | worth in the eyes of others; dignity (esp in the phrases lose or save face) |
| 7. | informal impudence or effrontery |
| 8. | the main side of an object, building, etc, or the front: the face of a palace; a cliff face |
| 9. | the marked surface of an instrument, esp the dial of a timepiece |
| 10. | the functional or working side of an object, as of a tool or playing card |
| 11. | a. the exposed area of a mine from which coal, ore, etc, may be mined |
| b. (as modifier): face worker | |
| 12. | the uppermost part or surface: the face of the earth |
| 13. | Also called: side any one of the plane surfaces of a crystal or other solid figure |
| 14. | mountaineering a steep side of a mountain, bounded by ridges |
| 15. | either of the surfaces of a coin, esp the one that bears the head of a ruler |
| 16. | slang (Brit) a well-known or important person |
| 17. | printing Also called: typeface |
| a. the printing surface of any type character | |
| b. the style, the design, or sometimes the size of any type fount | |
| c. the print made from type | |
| 18. | nautical, aeronautics the aft or near side of a propeller blade |
| 19. | fly in the face of to act in defiance of |
| 20. | in one's face directly opposite or against one |
| 21. | in face of, in the face of despite |
| 22. | look someone in the face to look directly at a person without fear or shame |
| 23. | on the face of it to all appearances |
| 24. | set one's face against to oppose with determination |
| 25. | show one's face to make an appearance |
| 26. | slang (often imperative) shut one's face to be silent |
| 27. | to someone's face in someone's presence; directly and openly: I told him the truth to his face |
| 28. | informal until one is blue in the face to the utmost degree; indefinitely |
| —vb (when intr, | |
| 29. | to look or be situated or placed (in a specified direction): the house faces on the square |
| 30. | to be opposite: facing page 9 |
| 31. | (tr) to meet or be confronted by: in his work he faces many problems |
| 32. | (tr) to accept or deal with something: let's face it, you're finished |
| 33. | (tr) to provide with a surface of a different material: the cuffs were faced with velvet |
| 34. | to dress the surface of (stone or other material) |
| 35. | (tr) to expose (a card) with the face uppermost |
| 36. | chiefly (US) military to order (a formation) to turn in a certain direction or (of a formation) to turn as required: right face! |
| 37. | ice hockey |
| a. See also face-off (of the referee) to drop (the puck) between two opposing players, as when starting or restarting play | |
| b. to start or restart play in this manner | |
| 38. | informal face the music to confront the consequences of one's actions |
| [C13: from Old French, from Vulgar Latin facia (unattested), from Latin faciēs form, related to facere to make] | |
| 'faceable | |
| —adj | |
| FACE | |
| —abbreviation for | |
| Fellow of the Australian College of Education | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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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.
Facing 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.
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
|
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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Easton
Bible Dictionary
Face definition
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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American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases
on the face of it
Seemingly, based on available evidence, as in On the face of it this project should break even in six months. This idiom uses face in the sense of "a superficial view." [Early 1700s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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