facies

noun

fa·​cies ˈfā-shē-ˌēz  ˈfā-shēz 

plural facies

1

: general appearance

a plant species with a particularly distinct facies

2

: an appearance and expression of the face characteristic of a particular condition especially when abnormal

adenoid facies

3

: a part of a rock or group of rocks that differs from the whole formation (as in composition, age, or fossil content)

Examples of facies in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Additionally, exaggerated allele-specific morphs based on normal-range variation in these genes recapitulates the syndromic facies of the craniofacial dysmorphologies with which they are associated. — Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 26 Mar. 2012

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin faciēs, going back to Latin, "appearance, form" — more at face entry 1

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Medical Definition

facies

noun

fa·​cies ˈfā-sh(ē-ˌ)ēz 

plural facies

1

: an appearance and expression of the face characteristic of a particular condition especially when abnormal

adenoid facies

see hippocratic facies, moon facies

2

: an anatomical surface