facet

[ fas-it ]

/ ˈfæs ɪt /

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See synonyms for: facet / faceted / faceting / facets 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.

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Origin of facet

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

OTHER WORDS FROM facet

un·fac·et·ed, adjective

Words nearby facet

faceprint, facer, face recognition, face-saver, face-saving, facet, facete, face that launched a thousand ships, Was this the, face the music, facetiae, face time

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use facet in a sentence

At the same time, however, the research sheds light on the many facets that shape language learning.
Learning a second language early might have ripple effects throughout your life|Rahul Rao|February 9, 2021|Popular-Science
Another facet of the same set of orders extended a federal moratorium on evictions, lasting through at least the end of March.
The US finally has a national mask mandate|Rahul Rao|February 1, 2021|Popular-Science
The coronavirus pandemic forced publishers to re-examine and re-think many facets of their businesses, and may have unearthed some previously unexplored revenue opportunities.
Digiday Research: Publishers’ revenue streams changed mostly at the margins because of pandemic|Max Willens|January 29, 2021|Digiday
That’s long been defended as a necessary facet of dynamic capitalism, that weaker companies are forced by markets to change or die and that in the end, it is healthier for society overall if zombie companies can’t survive endlessly.
How the GameStop Trading Surge Will Transform Wall Street|Zachary Karabell|January 29, 2021|Time

Improving click-through performance is an essential facet of ensuring long-term online success, both on and off Google.
Five hacks to enhance your organic CTR and rankings in SERPs|Karl Tablante|January 27, 2021|Search Engine Watch
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
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 Suspect|Sally Kohn|August 20, 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
“I think one interesting facet is how these stars are ballooning without any real traditional [media] support,” Fishman says.
Back Off, B*tches. There’s Only One Butt Selfie Queen|Cheryl Wischhover|May 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
An articular facet begins on the manubrium near the neck and spirals halfway around the head of the malleus.
Genera and Subgenera of Chipmunks|John A. White
The blue stick has a diagonal facet at the top to indicate the square topped female mask (paragraph 168).
The Mountain Chant, A Navajo Ceremony|Washington Matthews
Dalgetty's words came fast, this was one facet of a task to which he had given his life.
The Sensitive Man|Poul William Anderson
At best language can but be the outward facet of thought on the highest, most generalized, level of symbolic expression.
Language|Edward Sapir
There was one facet of the great stone of War upon which many strange things were written.
Robin|Frances Hodgson Burnett

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

facet

Origin of facet

OTHER WORDS FROM facet

Words nearby facet

Words related to facet

How to use facet in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for facet

Word Origin for facet