facet
[fas-it]
- one of the small, polished plane surfaces of a cut gem.
- a similar surface cut on a fragment of rock by the action of water, windblown sand, etc.
- aspect; phase: They carefully examined every facet of the argument.
- Architecture. any of the faces of a column cut in a polygonal form.
- Zoology. one of the corneal lenses of a compound arthropod eye.
- Anatomy. a small, smooth, flat area on a hard surface, especially on a bone.
- Dentistry. a small, highly burnished area, usually on the enamel surface of a tooth, produced by abrasion between opposing teeth in chewing.
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- to cut facets on.
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Origin of facet
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
anglelevelappearanceslantcharacterfeatureplanehandtwistphaseswitchpartobversefrontfacesideExamples from the Web for facet
Contemporary Examples
Every facet of his identity, taken alone, seemed at war with every other part of him.
That reality taints every facet of our existence, in Ferguson and beyond.
It's Not Just Teens Like Michael Brown—Even Small Black Children Are SuspectSally Kohn
August 20, 2014
The thing that set Brown apart, however, is his command over every facet of his show.
‘Get On Up’ Star Chadwick Boseman on Becoming James Brown—With A Little Help From Mick JaggerMarlow Stern
August 4, 2014
A reader senses both storyteller and critic fighting for full expression on the page, one facet overlaying the other.
Then LaPierre went on to blame every other facet of our culture for the problem.
Historical Examples
They were on a facet of the hill not quite so advantageous as others.
The Long RollMary Johnston
The opercular has a facet for articulation with the hyomandibular.
The Vertebrate SkeletonSidney H. Reynolds
In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a bloody deed.
Adventures of Sherlock HolmesA. Conan Doyle
Every facet of the sprawling IC operation was being checked.
InsidekickJesse Franklin Bone
Besides, this was a facet of Budapest life he had yet to investigate.
Frigid FracasDallas McCord Reynolds
facet
- any of the surfaces of a cut gemstone
- an aspect or phase, as of a subject or personality
- architect the raised surface between the flutes of a column
- any of the lenses that make up the compound eye of an insect or other arthropod
- anatomy any small smooth area on a hard surface, as on a bone
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- (tr) to cut facets in (a gemstone)
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Word Origin
C17: from French facette a little face
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for facet
n.
1620s, from French facette (12c., Old French facete), diminutive of face (see face (n.)). The diamond-cutting sense is the original one. Related: Faceted; facets.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
facet
(făs′ĭt)- A small smooth area on a bone or other firm structure.
- A worn spot on a tooth, produced by chewing or grinding.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.