facet

[fas-it]

noun

1. a small, polished, flat surface, usually in the shape of a polygon, such as one of the surfaces of a cut gem.

2. a smooth, flat surface cut on a fragment of rock by the action of water, windblown sand, etc.

3. aspect; phase.

   They carefully examined every facet of the argument.

4. Architecture.,  any of the faces of a column cut in a polygonal form.

5. Zoology.,  one of the corneal lenses of a compound arthropod eye.

6. Anatomy.,  a small, smooth, flat area on a hard surface, especially on a bone.

7. Dentistry.,  a small, highly burnished area, usually on the enamel surface of a tooth, produced by abrasion between opposing teeth in chewing.

verb (used with object)

faceted, faceting, facetted, facetting. 

1. to cut facets on.

facet

/ ˈfæsɪt /

noun

1. any of the surfaces of a cut gemstone

2. an aspect or phase, as of a subject or personality

3. architect the raised surface between the flutes of a column

4. any of the lenses that make up the compound eye of an insect or other arthropod

5. anatomy any small smooth area on a hard surface, as on a bone

verb

1. (tr) to cut facets in (a gemstone)

Word History and Origins

Origin of facet¹

First recorded in 1615–25, from the French facette “little face”; face ( def. ), -ette ( )

Word History and Origins

Origin of facet¹

C17: from French facette a little _face

Example Sentences

But they have perfected one maddening facet of the game that makes them absolute nightmares to skate against.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Few facets of pharma have been as compelling as obesity treatments over the past decade, so you can see why investor euphoria was high.

Read more on Barron's

Hunger intersects with nearly every facet of life: wages, geography, transportation, the trade-offs between buying groceries and paying for health care.

Read more on Salon

Republicans, he added, were involved “in every facet of the organization.”

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One important facet the curators wanted to honor in the exhibit is all of the past and present members of GWAR.

Read more on Los Angeles Times