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, facetely, facetiae

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 faceting

Anyhow, a more systematic method of faceting in sixteen facets—the taille en seize—began to be employed about that time.
Jewellery|H. Clifford Smith,

British Dictionary definitions for faceting

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 faceting

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.