facies
general appearance, as of an animal or vegetable group.
Geology. the appearance and characteristics of a sedimentary deposit, especially as they reflect the conditions and environment of deposition and serve to distinguish the deposit from contiguous deposits.: Compare metamorphic facies.
Medicine/Medical. a facial expression characteristic of a disease or pathological condition.
Archaeology. a distinctive phase of a prehistoric cultural tradition.
Origin of facies
1Other words from facies
- sub·fa·ci·es, noun, plural sub·fa·ci·es.
Words Nearby facies
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use facies in a sentence
The prima facies of the former is not likely to be admired, since its few excellencies require to be selected by nice observation.
The horizontal part of the facies, next the front, that lies behind the eyes and between the temples.
An Introduction to Entomology: Vol. III (of 4) | William KirbyVastum ubique silentium, secreti colles; fumantia procul tecta; nemo exploratoribus obvius, is what Tacitus calls facies victoriæ.
Marls and limestones with fossils of an Eocene facies overlie the Cretaceous rocks on the Gabun.
Cui Piso Nolim quidem, Gracche inquit, mea bona tibi viritim dividere liceat; sed si facies, partem petam.
Selections from Viri Romae | Charles Franois L'Homond
British Dictionary definitions for facies
/ (ˈfeɪʃɪˌiːz) /
the general form and appearance of an individual or a group of plants or animals
the characteristics of a rock or series of rocks reflecting their appearance, composition, and conditions of formation
med the general facial expression of a patient, esp when typical of a specific disease or disorder: See Hippocratic facies
Origin of facies
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for facies
[ fā′shē-ēz′, -shēz ]
A body of sedimentary rock distinguished from others by its lithology, geometry, sedimentary structures, proximity to other types of sedimentary rock, and fossil content, and recognized as characteristic of a particular depositional environment.
For a metamorphic rock, the particular combination of pressure and temperature under which metamorphism occurred.
The general aspect or makeup of an ecological community, especially a local modification of a community characterized by a conspicuous or abundant species that is absent or less concentrated in other locations.
The appearance or expression of the face, especially when typical of a certain disorder or disease.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Browse