facet

[ fas-it ]

/ ˈfæs ɪt /

SEE 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.

Words nearby facet

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

OTHER WORDS FROM facet

un·fac·et·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for facets

The religion shaped all facets of life: art, medicine, literature, and even dynastic politics.
The Buddhist Business of Poaching Animals for Good Karma|Brendon Hong|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Luqman explained that they represented the sun shining down on Earth, facets mimicking rays of light.
Fighting Back With Faith: Inside the Yezidis’ Iraqi Temple|Michael Luongo|August 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This warped ideology, Bayor argues, trickled down into all facets of American immigration policy.
Ellis Island’s Doubled-Edged Legacy|J.P. O’Malley|May 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The memoir will highlight all facets of Westwood's career, and will include commentary by family and friends.
Isabel Marant Lands at H&M; Burberry Breaks $1 Billion|The Fashion Beast Team|November 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST

As a kid he was bullied “every day, in all forms and facets.”
The Bully Waging War Against Bullies|Lizzie Crocker|October 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It bears on its posterior surface a pair of facets with which the pelvic fins articulate.
The Vertebrate Skeleton|Sidney H. Reynolds
Crystalline it was; the shadows crystalline, too, rigid—like the facets of great crystals.
The Metal Monster|A. Merritt
It is engraved en creux upon two facets with the scene of the Annunciation.
The Arts and Crafts of Older Spain, Volume I (of 3)|Leonard Williams
This portion is called the "girdle," and it is on these "girdle" facets that the scratches are generally made.
The Chemistry, Properties and Tests of Precious Stones|John Mastin
All nature appeared a beautiful stone with a thousand facets, on which was engraven the mysterious name.
Child of a Century, Complete|Alfred de Musset

British Dictionary definitions for facets

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

Medical definitions for facets

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.

facet

noun

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

Words related to facet

Words nearby facet

Origin of facet

OTHER WORDS FROM facet

Example sentences from the Web for facets

British Dictionary definitions for facets

noun

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

Word Origin for facet

Medical definitions for facets

n.