Face

• POS: Noun, Verb (usu participle), Verb (transitive)

CIDE DICTIONARY

Face, n. [F., from L. facies form, shape, face, perh. from facere to make (see Fact); or perh. orig. meaning appearance, and from a root meaning to shine, and akin to E. fancy. Cf. Facetious.].

•  The exterior form or appearance of anything; that part which presents itself to the view; especially, the front or upper part or surface; that which particularly offers itself to the view of a spectator.  [1913 Webster]

  "A mist . . . watered the whole face of the ground."  [1913 Webster]

  "Lake Leman wooes me with its crystal face."  [1913 Webster]
•  That part of a body, having several sides, which may be seen from one point, or which is presented toward a certain direction; one of the bounding planes of a solid; as, a cube has six faces.  [1913 Webster]
•  The principal dressed surface of a plate, disk, or pulley; the principal flat surface of a part or object.  [1913 Webster]
•  The upper surface, or the character upon the surface, of a type, plate, etc.  [1913 Webster]
•  Outside appearance; surface show; look; external aspect, whether natural, assumed, or acquired.  [1913 Webster]

  "To set a face upon their own malignant design."  [1913 Webster]

  "This would produce a new face of things in Europe."  [1913 Webster]

  "We wear a face of joy, because
  We have been glad of yore."  [1913 Webster]
•  That part of the head, esp. of man, in which the eyes, cheeks, nose, and mouth are situated; visage; countenance.  [1913 Webster]

  "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread."  [1913 Webster]
•  Cast of features; expression of countenance; look; air; appearance.  [1913 Webster]

  "We set the best faceon it we could."  [1913 Webster]
•  Ten degrees in extent of a sign of the zodiac.  Chaucer.  [1913 Webster]
•  Maintenance of the countenance free from abashment or confusion; confidence; boldness; shamelessness; effrontery.  [1913 Webster]

  "This is the man that has the face to charge others with false citations."  [1913 Webster]
•  Presence; sight; front; as in the phrases, before the face of, in the immediate presence of; in the face of, before, in, or against the front of; as, to fly in the face of danger; to the face of, directly to; from the face of, from the presence of.  [1913 Webster]
•  Mode of regard, whether favorable or unfavorable; favor or anger; mostly in Scriptural phrases.  [1913 Webster]

  "The Lord make his face to shine upon thee."  [1913 Webster]

  "My face [favor] will I turn also from them."  [1913 Webster]
•  The end or wall of the tunnel, drift, or excavation, at which work is progressing or was last done.  [1913 Webster]
•  The exact amount expressed on a bill, note, bond, or other mercantile paper, without any addition for interest or reduction for discount; most commonly called face value.  McElrath.  [1913 Webster]

  " Face is used either adjectively or as part of a compound; as, face guard or face-guard; face cloth; face plan or face-plan; face hammer."  [1913 Webster]

Face ague (Med.), a form of neuralgia, characterized by acute lancinating pains returning at intervals, and by twinges in certain parts of the face, producing convulsive twitches in the corresponding muscles; -- called also tic douloureux. -- Face card, one of a pack of playing cards on which a human face is represented; the king, queen, or jack. -- Face cloth, a cloth laid over the face of a corpse. -- Face guard, a mask with windows for the eyes, worn by workman exposed to great heat, or to flying particles of metal, stone, etc., as in glass works, foundries, etc. -- Face hammer, a hammer having a flat face. -- Face joint (Arch.), a joint in the face of a wall or other structure. -- Face mite (Zoöll.), a small, elongated mite (Demdex folliculorum), parasitic in the hair follicles of the face. -- Face mold, the templet or pattern by which carpenters, etc., outline the forms which are to be cut out from boards, sheet metal, etc. -- Face plate. (a) (Turning) A plate attached to the spindle of a lathe, to which the work to be turned may be attached. (b) A covering plate for an object, to receive wear or shock. (c) A true plane for testing a dressed surface. Knight. -- Face wheel. (Mach.) (a) A crown wheel. (b) A wheel whose disk face is adapted for grinding and polishing; a lap. -- face value the value written on a financial instrument; same as face{13}. Also used metaphorically, to mean apparent value; as, to take his statemnet at its face value.

Cylinder face (Steam Engine), the flat part of a steam cylinder on which a slide valve moves. -- Face of an anvil, its flat upper surface. -- Face of a bastion (Fort.), the part between the salient and the shoulder angle. -- Face of coal (Mining), the principal cleavage plane, at right angles to the stratification. -- Face of a gun, the surface of metal at the muzzle. -- Face of a place (Fort.), the front comprehended between the flanked angles of two neighboring bastions. Wilhelm. -- Face of a square (Mil.), one of the sides of a battalion when formed in a square. -- Face of a watch, clock, compass, card etc., the dial or graduated surface on which a pointer indicates the time of day, point of the compass, etc. -- Face to face. (a) In the presence of each other; as, to bring the accuser and the accused face to face. (b) Without the interposition of any body or substance. “Now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face.” 1 Cor. xiii. 12. (c) With the faces or finished surfaces turned inward or toward one another; vis à vis; -- opposed to back to back. -- To fly in the face of, to defy; to brave; to withstand. -- To make a face, to distort the countenance; to make a grimace; -- often expressing dislike, annoyance, or disagreement. Shak.

Face, v. t. 

•  To meet in front; to oppose with firmness; to resist, or to meet for the purpose of stopping or opposing; to confront; to encounter; as, to face an enemy in the field of battle.  [1913 Webster]

  "I'll face
  This tempest, and deserve the name of king."  [1913 Webster]
•  To Confront impudently; to bully.  [1913 Webster]

  "I will neither be facednor braved."  [1913 Webster]
•  To stand opposite to; to stand with the face or front toward; to front upon; as, the apartments of the general faced the park; some of the seats on the train faced backward.  [1913 Webster]

  "He gained also with his forces that part of Britain which faces Ireland."  [1913 Webster]
•  To cover in front, for ornament, protection, etc.; to put a facing upon; as, a building faced with marble.  [1913 Webster]
•  To line near the edge, esp. with a different material; as, to face the front of a coat, or the bottom of a dress.  [1913 Webster]
•  To cover with better, or better appearing, material than the mass consists of, for purpose of deception, as the surface of a box of tea, a barrel of sugar, etc.  [1913 Webster]
•  To make the surface of (anything) flat or smooth; to dress the face of (a stone, a casting, etc.); esp., in turning, to shape or smooth the flat surface of, as distinguished from the cylindrical surface.  [1913 Webster]
•  To cause to turn or present a face or front, as in a particular direction.  [1913 Webster]

To face down, to put down by bold or impudent opposition. “He faced men down.” Prior. -- To face (a thing) out, to persist boldly or impudently in an assertion or in a line of conduct. “That thinks with oaths to face the matter out.” Shak. -- to face the music to admit error and accept reprimand or punishment as a consequence for having failed or having done something wrong; to willingly experience an unpleasant situation out of a sense of duty or obligation; as, as soon as he broke the window with the football, Billy knew he would have to face the music.

Face, v. i. 

•  To carry a false appearance; to play the hypocrite.  Spenser.  [1913 Webster]
•  To turn the face; as, to face to the right or left.  [1913 Webster]

  "Face about, man; a soldier, and afraid!"  [1913 Webster]
•  To present a face or front.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Face, n. & v.
--n.
1 the front of the head from the forehead to the chin.
2 the expression of the facial features (had a happy face).
3 composure, coolness, effrontery.
4 the surface of a thing, esp. as regarded or approached, esp.: a the visible part of a celestial body. b a side of a mountain etc. (the north face). c the (usu. vertical) surface of a coal-seam. d Geom. each surface of a solid. e the fa{ccedil}ade of a building. f the plate of a clock or watch bearing the digits, hands, etc.
5 a the functional or working side of a tool etc. b the distinctive side of a playing card. c the obverse of a coin.
6 = TYPEFACE.
7 the outward appearance or aspect (the unacceptable face of capitalism).
8 a person, esp. conveying some quality or association (a face from the past; some young faces for a change).
--v.
1 tr. & intr. look or be positioned towards or in a certain direction (face towards the window; facing the window; the room faces north).
2 tr. be opposite (facing page 20).
3 tr. a (often foll. by out) meet resolutely or defiantly; confront (face one's critics). b not shrink from (face the facts).
4 tr. present itself to; confront (the problem that faces us; faces us with a problem).
5 tr. a cover the surface of a thing with a coating, extra layer, etc. b put a facing on (a garment).
6 intr. & tr. turn or cause to turn in a certain direction.

Idiom

face-ache
1 neuralgia.
2 sl. a mournful-looking person. face-card = court-card. face-cloth 1 a cloth for washing one's face.
2 a smooth-surfaced woollen cloth. face-cream a cosmetic cream applied to the face to improve the complexion. face down (or downwards) with the face or surface turned towards the ground, floor, etc. face facts (or the facts) recognize the truth. face-flannel = face-cloth 1.
face-lift
1 (also face-lifting) cosmetic surgery to remove wrinkles etc. by tightening the skin of the face.
2 a procedure to improve the appearance of a thing. face the music colloq. put up with or stand up to unpleasant consequences, esp. criticism. face-pack a preparation beneficial to the complexion, spread over the face and removed when dry. face-powder a cosmetic powder for reducing the shine on the face. face-saving preserving one's reputation, credibility, etc. face to face (often foll. by with) facing; confronting each other. face up (or upwards) with the face or surface turned upwards to view. face up to accept bravely; confront; stand up to.
face value
1 the nominal value as printed or stamped on money.
2 the superficial appearance or implication of a thing. face-worker a miner who works at the coalface. have the face be shameless enough. in one's (or the) face 1 straight against one; as one approaches.
2 confronting.
in face (or the face) of
1 despite.
2 confronted by. let's face it colloq. we must be honest or realistic about it. on the face of it as it would appear. put a bold (or brave) face on it accept difficulty etc. cheerfully or with courage. put one's face on colloq. apply make-up to one's face. put a good face on make (a matter) look well. put a new face on alter the aspect of. save face preserve esteem; avoid humiliation. save a person's face enable a person to save face; forbear from humiliating a person. set one's face against oppose or resist with determination. to a person's face openly in a person's presence.

Derivative

faced adj. (also in comb.). facing adj. (also in comb.).

Etymology

ME f. OF ult. f. L facies

THESAURUS

Face

Communist threat, Western imperialism, accept, account, acknowledge, acting, admit, affectation, affront, air, allow, anteriority, anticipate, apparently, appear, appearance, apply paint, approach, arrive, arrogance, ascender, aspect, atrocity story, attitudinizing, audacity, await, back, balls, banner, banter, bastard type, battle hymn, be imminent, be in store, be seen, beard, bearing, bedaub, bedizen, begild, bell the cat, belly, besmear, bevel, bid defiance, bite the bullet, black letter, bloody shirt, bluff, bluffing, board, boastfulness, body, bold front, boldness, border, brashness, brass, brave, brave face, brave front, brazen, brazen out, brazenly, breast, brew, brick, bring before, bring forward, bring up, brow, browbeat, brush on paint, bump heads, calcimine, call out, camouflage, candidly, cap, capital, carriage, case, cast, cast of countenance, ceil, challenge, cheating, cheek, chutzpah, circumference, clad, clapboard, cliff, cloak, clock, close, coat, color, coloring, colors, come on, come up against, complexion, conceit, confess, confront, confront with, confronting, contemplate, contend, contrapose, contraposit, contrast, conversion factor, cope with, cortex, countenance, counter, counteract, cover, covering, cow, crag, crostarie, crust, dab, dare, daring, daub, deal with, deception, deep-dye, defy, delusion, demeanor, descender, despite, dial, dignity, dip, directly, disguise, display, dissemblance, dissembling, dissimulation, distemper, double-dare, double-dye, draw near, draw nigh, draw on, dread, dress, dye, effrontery, em, emblazon, en, enamel, encounter, engild, envelope, envisage, epidermis, escarpment, evidently, expansionism, expect, experience, expression, exterior, external, eyeball to eyeball, facade, face down, face out, face the music, face to face, face up, face up to, face upon, face value, face with, facet, facia, facial appearance, facies, facing, fakery, faking, false, false air, false front, false show, falsity, fast-dye, fat-faced type, favor, feather, feature, features, feet, feigning, feint, fiery cross, fight, fill, finish, font, fore, forefront, foreground, forehand, foreland, forepart, forequarter, foresee, foreside, foreword, forthcome, four-flushing, frankly, fraud, fresco, fringe, front, front elevation, front man, front matter, front on, front page, front view, frontage, frontal, frontier, frontispiece, fur, gall, garb, gather, gaze, gild, gilt, give upon, glare, glass, glaze, gloss, gonfalon, grain, grimace, groove, guise, guts, gutsiness, hang over, haughtiness, have in mind, head, heading, high place, honor, hope, hover, hue, humbug, humbuggery, illuminate, image, imbue, impend, imperialist threat, impertinence, imposture, impudence, in defiance of, in opposition to, in spite of, independence, ingrain, inlay, integument, interline, intimidate, italic, japan, kisser, kudos, lacquer, lap, lath, lay before, lay on color, letter, lie opposite, lie over, ligature, line, lineaments, lines, load, logotype, look, look for, look out upon, look over, look toward, looks, loom, lower, lower case, majuscule, make a face, manifest destiny, map, market value, martial music, mask, masquerade, match, meet, meet boldly, meet head-on, meet squarely, meet with, menace, meretriciousness, mien, minuscule, mug, mush, muzzle, name, national anthem, near, nerve, net worth, nick, notwithstanding, obverse, openly, oppose, opposite, ostentation, outdare, outer face, outer layer, outer side, outer skin, outface, outline, outside, outward show, overawe, overhang, overlay, overlook, pack, pad, paint, palisade, palisades, pan, paper, par value, pardonable pride, parget, pennyworth, periphery, phiz, physiognomy, pi, pica, pigment, place before, plank, playacting, point, polarize, port, pose, pose against, posing, position, posture, precipice, preface, prefix, presence, present to, prestige, presume, presumption, pretense, pretension, pretext, pride, pridefulness, prime, print, priority, proscenium, proudness, purse-pride, puss, put in opposition, put it to, rank, rate, representation, reputation, repute, resist, revet, right side, rind, roman, run the gauntlet, sans serif, scar, scarp, scream defiance, script, seeming, seemingly, self-confidence, self-consequence, self-determination, self-esteem, self-reliance, self-respect, self-sufficiency, semblance, set at defiance, set before, set over against, shade, shadow, shake, sham, shank, sheathe, shell, shellac, shingle, shoulder, show, show fight, show up, showing, simulacrum, simulation, skin, slate, slop on paint, small cap, small capital, smear, speak out, speak up, speciousness, stain, stamp, stance, stand opposed, stand opposite, stand up to, standing, stare, stare down, station, stature, status, steep, stem, stiff-necked pride, stiff-neckedness, stipple, stone, stuff, subdue, subtend, superficially, superficies, superstratum, surface, take, take for granted, tete-a-tete, thatch, think, threaten, tile, tinct, tincture, tinge, tint, tone, top, traits, turn, turn up, type, type body, type class, type lice, typecase, typeface, typefounders, typefoundry, undercoat, upper case, value, value received, vanity, varnish, veneer, venture, vis-a-vis, visage, wad, wainscot, wall, wall in, wall up, wallpaper, war song, wash, watch, weatherboard, window dressing, withstand, worth, yellow peril

ROGET THESAURUS

Face

Opposition

VB oppose, counteract, run counter to, withstand, control, hinder, antagonize, oppugn, fly in the face of, go dead against, kick against, fall afoul of, run afoul of, set against, pit against, face, confront, cope with, make a stand, make a dead set against, set oneself against, set one's face against, protest against, vote against, raise one's voice against, disfavor, turn one's back upon, set at naught, slap in the face, slam the door in one's face, be at cross purposes, play at cross purposes, counterwork, countermine, thwart, overthwart, work against, undermine, stem, breast, encounter, stem the tide, breast the tide, stem the current, stem the flood, buffet the waves, beat up against, make head against, grapple with, kick against the pricks, contend, do battle with, do battle against, contradict, contravene, belie, go against, run against, beat against, militate against, come in conflict with, emulate, rival, spoil one's trade.

Resistance

VB resist, not submit, repugn, reluct, reluctate, withstand, stand up against, strive against, bear up under, bear up against, be proof against, make head against, stand, stand firm, stand one's ground, stand the brunt of, stand out, hold one's grounds, hold one's own, hold out, hold firm, breast the wave, breast the current, stem the tide, stem the torrent, face, confront, grapple with, show a bold front, present a front, make a stand, take one's stand, kick, kick against, recalcitrate, kick against the pricks, oppose, fly in the face of, lift the hand against, rise up in arms, strike, turn out, draw up a round robin, revolt, make a riot, prendre le mors aux dents, take the bit between the teeth, sell one's life dearly, die hard, keep at bay, repel, repulse.

Courage

N courage, bravery, valor, resoluteness, boldness, spirit, daring, gallantry, intrepidity, contempt of danger, defiance of danger, derring-do, audacity, rashness, dash, defiance, confidence, self-reliance, manliness, manhood, nerve, pluck, mettle, game, heart, heart of grace, spunk, guts, face, virtue, hardihood, fortitude, intestinal fortitude, firmness, heart of oak, bottom, backbone, spine, resolution, bulldog courage, prowess, heroism, chivalry, exploit, feat, achievement, heroic deed, heroic act, bold stroke, man, man of mettle, hero, demigod, Amazon, Hector, lion, tiger, panther, bulldog, gamecock, fighting-cock, bully, fire eater, courageous, brave, valiant, valorous, gallant, intrepid, spirited, spiritful, high-spirited, high-mettled, mettlesome, plucky, manly, manful, resolute, stout, stout-hearted, iron-hearted, lion-hearted, heart of oak, Penthesilean, bold, bold-spirited, daring, audacious, fearless, dauntless, dreadless, aweless, undaunted, unappalled, undismayed, unawed, unblanched, unabashed, unalarmed, unflinching, unshrinking, unblanching, unapprehensive, confident, self-reliant, bold as a lion, bold as brass, enterprising, adventurous, venturous, venturesome, dashing, chivalrous, soldierly, heroic, fierce, savage, pugnacious, strong-minded, hardy, doughty, firm, determined, dogged, indomitable, up to, up to the scratch, upon one's mettle, reassured, unfeared, undreaded, one's blood being up, courage sans peur, fortes fortuna adjuvat, have I not in my time heard lions roar, I dare do all that may become a man, male vincetis sed vincite, omne solum forti patria, self-trust is the essence of heroism, stimulos dedit oemula virtus, strong and great, a hero, teloque animus proestantior omni, there, is always safety in valor, virtus ariete fortier.

VB be courageous, dare, venture, make bold, face danger, front danger, affront danger, confront danger, brave danger, defy danger, despise danger, mock danger, look in the face, look full in the face, look boldly in the face, look danger in the face, face, meet, meet in front, brave, beard, defy, take courage, muster courage, summon up courage, pluck up courage, nerve oneself, take heart, take heart, pluck up heart of grace, hold up one's head, screw one's courage to the sticking place, come up to scratch, stick to one's guns, standfire, stand against, bear up, bear up against, hold out, put a bold face upon, show a bold front, present a bold front, show fight, face the music, bell the cat, take the bull by the horns, beard the lion in his den, march up to the cannon's mouth, go through fire and water, run the gantlet, give courage, infuse courage, inspire courage, reassure, encourage, embolden, inspirit, cheer, nerve, put upon one's mettle, rally, raise a rallying cry, pat on the back, make a man of, keep in countenance.

Exteriority

N exteriority, outside, exterior, surface, superficies, skin, superstratum, disk, disc, face, facet, extrados, excentricity, eccentricity, circumjacence, exterior, external, outer most, outward, outlying, outside, outdoor, round about, extramural, extralimitary, extramundane, superficial, skin-deep, frontal, discoid, extraregarding, excentric, eccentric, outstanding, extrinsic, ecdemic, exomorphic, externally, out, with out, over, outwards, ab extra, out of doors, extra muros, in the open air, sub Jove, sub dio, a la belle etoile, al fresco.

Covering

VB cover, superpose, superimpose, overlay, overspread, wrap, encase, incase, face, case, veneer, pave, paper, tip, cap, bind, bulkhead, bulkhead in, clapboard, coat, paint, varnish, pay, incrust, stucco, dab, plaster, tar, wash, besmear, bedaub, anoint, do over, gild, plate, japan, lacquer, lacker, enamel, whitewash, parget, lay it on thick, overlie, overarch, endome, conceal, anodize, galvanize.

Insolence

N insolence, haughtiness, arrogance, airs, overbearance, domineering, tyranny, impertinence, sauciness, flippancy, dicacity, petulance, procacity, bluster, swagger, swaggering, bounce, terrorism, assumption, presumption, beggar on horseback, usurpation, impudence, assurance, audacity, hardihood, front, face, brass, shamelessness, effrontery, hardened front, face of brass, assumption of infallibility, saucebox, insolent, haughty, arrogant, imperious, magisterial, dictatorial, arbitrary, high-handed, high and mighty, contumelious, supercilious, overbearing, intolerant, domineering, overweening, high-flown, flippant, pert, fresh, cavalier, saucy, forward, impertinent, malapert, precocious, assuming, would-be, bumptious, bluff, brazen, shameless, aweless, unblushlng, unabashed, brazen, boldfaced-, barefaced-, brazen-faced, dead to shame, lost to shame, impudent, audacious, presumptuous, free and easy, devil-may-care, rollicking, jaunty, janty, roistering, blustering, hectoring, swaggering, vaporing, thrasonic, fire eating, full of sound and fury, with a high hand, ex cathedra, one's bark being worse than his bite, beggars mounted run their horse to death, quid times? Caesarem vehis, wagahai wa (expressing superiority).

Front

N front, fore, forepart, foreground, face, disk, disc, frontage, facade, proscenium, facia, frontispiece, anteriority, obverse (of a medal or coin), fore rank, front rank, van, vanguard, advanced guard, outpost, first line, scout, brow, forehead, visage, physiognomy, phiz, countenance, mut, rostrum, beak, bow, stem, prow, prore, jib, pioneer, metoposcopy, fore, anterior, front, frontal, before, in front, in the van, in advance, ahead, right ahead, forehead, foremost, in the foreground, in the lee of, before one's face, before one's eyes, face to face, vis-a-vis, front a front, formosa muta commendatio est, frons est animi janua, Human face divine, imago animi vultus est indices oculi, sea of upturned faces.

VB be in front, stand in front, front, face, confront, bend forwards, come to the front, come to the fore.

Appearance

N appearance, phenomenon, sight, spectacle, show, premonstration, scene, species, view, coup d'oeil, lookout, outlook, prospect, vista, perspective, bird's-eye view, scenery, landscape, picture, tableau, display, exposure, mise en sc ne, rising of the curtain, phantasm, phantom, pageant, spectacle, peep-show, raree-show, gallanty-show, ombres chinoises, magic lantern, phantasmagoria, dissolving views, biograph, cinematograph, moving pictures, panorama, diorama, cosmorama, georama, coup de theatre, jeu de theatre, pageantry, insignia, aspect, angle, phase, phasis, seeming, shape, guise, look, complexion, color, image, mien, air, cast, carriage, port, demeanor, presence, expression, first blush, face of the thing, point of view, light, lineament feature trait lines, outline, outside, contour, face, countenance, physiognomy, visage, phiz, cast of countenance, profile, tournure, cut of one s jib, metoposcopy, outside, apparent, seeming, ostensible, on view, apparently, to all seeming, to all appearance, ostensibly, seemingly, as it seems, on the face of it, prima facie, at the first blush, at first sight, in the eyes of, to the eye, editio princeps.