facial angle

American  

noun

1. Craniometry. the angle formed by a line from nasion to prosthion at its intersection with the plane of the Frankfurt horizontal.

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facial angle British  

noun

1. the angle formed between a line from the base of the nose to the opening of the ear and a line from the base of the nose to the most prominent part of the forehead: often used in comparative anthropology

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Etymology

Origin of facial angle

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

Cuvier estimates the facial angle of the new-born infant at ninety degrees; that of the adult, at eighty-five; that of decrepit old age, at fifty.

From Beauty Illustrated Chiefly by an Analysis and Classificatin of Beauty in Woman by Walker, Alexander

His forehead betokens greater capacity; being more prominent, more vaulted, and with a greater facial angle.

From The Ethnology of the British Colonies and Dependencies by Latham, R. G. (Robert Gordon)

They invariably showed a large facial angle, placed the ears well close to the head, sunk the eyes deep in their sockets, and ennobled the brows to suggest majesty or profound thought.

From Art Principles With Special Reference to Painting Together with Notes on the Illusions Produced by the Painter by Govett, Ernest

Prognathism, in anthropological language, means that particular projection of the jaw which modifies the facial angle.

From A Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Verne, Jules

It is our cranium, with that upright facial angle and that large brain-pan which was our pride!

From Vagaries by Munthe, Axel