face (fās)

---

[Middle English, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin* facia, from Latin faciēs.]

noun 

1. 1. The surface of the front of the head from the top of the forehead to the base of the chin and from ear to ear.
   2. A person: We saw many new faces on the first day of classes.
2. A person's countenance: a happy face.
3. A contorted facial expression; a grimace: made a face at the prospect of eating lemons.
4. Facial cosmetics: put one's face on.
5. Outward appearance: the modern face of the city.
6. 1. Value or standing in the eyes of others; prestige: lose face.
   2. Self-assurance; confidence: The team managed to maintain a firm face even in times of great adversity.
7. Effrontery; impudence: had the face to question my judgment.
8. The most significant or prominent surface of an object, especially:
   1. The surface presented to view; the front.
   2. A façade.
   3. Outer surface: the face of the earth.
   4. A marked side: the face of a clock; the face of a playing card.
   5. The right side, as of fabric.
   6. An exposed, often precipitous surface of rock.
9. A planar surface of a geometric solid.
10. Any of the surfaces of a rock or crystal.
11. The end, as of a mine or tunnel, at which work is advancing.
12. The appearance and geologic surface features of an area of land; topography.
13. Printing
    1. A typeface or range of typefaces.
    2. The raised printing surface of a piece of type.

verb: faced, fac·ing, fac·es. 

transitive verb 

1. To occupy a position with the face toward: stood and faced the audience.
2. To front on: a window that faces the south.
3. 1. To confront with complete awareness: had to face the facts.
   2. To overcome by confronting boldly or bravely: “What this generation must do is face its problems” (John F. Kennedy)
   3. To confront with impudence. See synonyms at defy
4. 1. To be certain to encounter; have in store: An unskilled youth faces a difficult life.
   2. To bring or to be brought face to face with: “The prospect of military conflict . . . faced us with nightmarish choices” (Henry A. Kissinger)
5. To cause (troops) to change direction by giving a command.
6. Games To turn (a playing card) so that the face is up.
7. To furnish with a surface or cover of a different material: bronze that is faced with gold foil.
8. To line or trim the edge of, especially with contrasting material: face a hem with lace.
9. To treat the surface of so as to smooth.

intransitive verb 

1. To be turned or placed with the front toward a specified direction.
2. To turn the face in a specified direction.

phrasal verbs

face down

To attain mastery over or overcome by confronting in a resolute, determined manner: face down an opponent in a debate; faced the enemy down.

face off

To start play in ice hockey, lacrosse, and other games by releasing the puck or ball between two opposing players.

face up

To confront an unpleasant situation with resolution and assurance: had to face up or get out; finally faced up to the problem.

idioms

face the music

To accept the unpleasant consequences, especially of one's own actions.

in the face of

In opposition to or defiance of.

on the face of it

From appearances alone; apparently: On the face of it, the problem seems minor.

show (one's) face

To make an appearance: Don't show your face on my property again.

to (one's) face

In the view or hearing of: insulted me to my face.

derivatives

facéa·ble

adjective