face

I. noun Usage: often attributive Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *facia, from Latin facies make, form, face, from facere to make, do — more at do Date: 13th century 1. a. the front part of the head that in humans extends from the forehead to the chin and includes the mouth, nose, cheeks, and eyes b. the face as a means of identification ; countenance <

would know that face anywhere

> 2. archaic presence, sight 3. a. facial expression <

a friendly face

> b. a facial expression of distaste or displeasure <

he made a face when he saw the test results

> c. makeup 3a(1) 4. a. (1) outward appearance <

put a good face on it

> (2) the aspect of something that is perceptible or obvious upon superficial examination <

the theory is absurd on its face — Kim Neely

> b. disguise, pretense c. (1) assurance, confidence <

maintaining a firm face in spite of adversity

> (2) effrontery <

how anyone could have the face to ask that question

> d. dignity, prestige <

afraid to lose face

> 5. surface: a. (1) a front, upper, or outer surface (2) the front of something having two or four sides (3) facade (4) an exposed surface of rock (5) any of the plane surfaces that bound a geometric solid b. a surface specially prepared: as (1) the principal dressed surface (as of a disk) (2) the right side (as of cloth or leather) (3) an inscribed, printed, or marked side c. a striking surface (as of a tool) <

the face of the golf club

> <

the face of an anvil

> d. (1) the surface (as of type) that receives the ink and transfers it to the paper (2) a style of type 6. the end or wall of a mine tunnel, drift, or excavation at which work is progressing 7. face value 8. person <

lots of new faces around here

> II. verb (faced; facing) Date: 15th century transitive verb 1. to confront impudently 2. a. to line near the edge especially with a different material b. to cover the front or surface of <

faced the building with marble

> 3. to meet face-to-face or in competition 4. a. to stand or sit with the face toward b. to have the front oriented toward <

a house facing the park

> 5. a. to recognize and deal with straightforwardly <

face the facts

> b. to master by confronting with determination — used with down <

faced down his critics

> 6. a. to have as a prospect ; be confronted by <

face a grim future

> b. to be a prospect or a source of concern for <

the problems that face us

> c. to bring face-to-face <

he was faced with ruin

> 7. to make the surface of (as a stone) flat or smooth 8. to cause (troops) to face in a particular direction on command intransitive verb 1. to have the face or front turned in a specified direction 2. to turn the face in a specified direction