facet

[ fas-it ]

/ ˈfæs ɪt /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR facet ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

verb (used with object), fac·et·ed, fac·et·ing or (especially British) fac·et·ted, fac·et·ting.

to cut facets on.

Nearby words

facemail, facepalm, faceplate, faceprint, facer, facet, facet joint, facete, facetectomy, facetiae, facetious

Origin of facet

First recorded in 1615–25, facet is from the French word facette little face. See face, -et

Related forms

un·fac·et·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for facet

Every facet of his identity, taken alone, seemed at war with every other part of him.
The Sydney Astrologer Turned Islamic Radical|Jacob Siegel|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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 Jagger|Marlow Stern|August 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A reader senses both storyteller and critic fighting for full expression on the page, one facet overlaying the other.
Novelist D. Foy Dubs His Debut ‘Gutter Opera’ And Who Are We To Argue?|J.T. Price|May 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Then LaPierre went on to blame every other facet of our culture for the problem.
All I Want for Christmas Is a New GOP|Mark McKinnon|December 24, 2012|DAILY BEAST

It was a generally unpleasant experience, but one that continues to inform and inspire nearly every facet of my life.
Why I Didn't Refuse to Serve in the IDF|Micah Stein|October 25, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Of course the real power of it in any place depends on the writer's grasp of it, and use of the facet he wants to cut with.
Arrows of the Chace, v. 2|John Ruskin
There are twenty-four laboratories working full time on that facet and God knows how many more working part time like we are.
Pandemic|Jesse Franklin Bone
Separating, then, one facet from the rest, we find this single eye to consist of several portions: 1.
The Life of an Insect|Anonymous
No facet on superior margin of centrum either anteriorly or posteriorly.
The Beaked Whales of the Family Ziphidae|Frederick True
The salt dish alone revealed a facet of Taverney's character or rather all its sides.
Balsamo, The Magician|Alexander Dumas

British Dictionary definitions for facet

facet

/ (ˈfæsɪt) /

noun

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

verb -ets, -eting, -eted, -ets, -etting or -etted

(tr) to cut facets in (a gemstone)

Word Origin for facet

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

Medicine definitions for facet

facet

[ făs′ĭt ]

n.

A small smooth area on a bone or other firm structure.

A worn spot on a tooth, produced by chewing or grinding.