feɪs 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
faúade 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. øface-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. øøfaced adj. (also in comb.). facing adj. (also in comb.). [ME f. OF ult. f. L facies]