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

There was no physical evidence linking Garbutt to the murder, with a key facet of the case against him based on data from the Horizon system and how it was interpreted by the Post Office.

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Maggie only sees a facet of her, and Hank also only sees a facet of her because she’s very controlling about how she projects this certain type of persona, until that becomes untenable.

Read more on Salon

The covered-call strategy is only one facet of the Franklin Income Focus ETF’s strategy.

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He remembers immediately messaging Isaac, his Victor, convinced that Elordi could play both “Adam and Jesus,” which are the two facets that the creature represents for the director.

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

Read more on The Wall Street Journal