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facet

[fas-it]
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noun
  1. one of the small, polished plane surfaces of a cut gem.
  2. a similar 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.
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verb (used with object), fac·et·ed, fac·et·ing or (especially British) fac·et·ted, fac·et·ting.
  1. 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
Related formsun·fac·et·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for faceting

Historical Examples

  • 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

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
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verb -ets, -eting, -eted, -ets, -etting or -etted
  1. (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 faceting

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
faceting in Medicine

facet

(făs′ĭt)
n.
  1. A small smooth area on a bone or other firm structure.
  2. 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.