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face
- Main Entry:
- 1face
- Pronunciation:
-
\ˈfās\
- Function:
- 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>2archaic : presence, sight3 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 progressing7: face value8: person <lots of new faces around here>
— in one's face : directly and aggressively in one's presence <dunked the ball in his face> —often used with get to describe aggressively confrontational speech or behavior <his boss got in his face about being late> — in the face of also in face of : face-to-face with : despite <fearless in the face of danger> — to one's face : in one's presence or so that one is fully aware of what is going on
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