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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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

Time Traveler
The first known use of facies was in 1565

Dictionary Entries Near facies

Cite this Entry

“Facies.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/facies. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

facies

noun
fa·​cies ˈfā-sh(ē-ˌ)ēz How to pronounce facies (audio)
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
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