Search results for 'face':

face noun 1 the front part of the head, from forehead to chin. 2 the features or facial expression. 3 a surface or side, eg of a mountain, gem, geometrical figure, etc. 4 the important or working side, eg of a golf-club head. 5 a in a mine or quarry: the exposed surface from which coal, etc is mined; b on a cliff: the exposed surface, usually vertical; c in compounds • coalface • cliff-face. 6 the dial of a clock, watch, etc. 7 the side of a playing card that is marked with numbers, symbols, etc. 8 general look or appearance • The face of the landscape remains the same. 9 an aspect. 10 impudence; cheek. 11 literary someone's presence • stand before his face. 12 printing a typeface. verb (faced, facing) 1 tr & intr to be opposite to something or someone; to turn to look at or look in some direction. 2 to have something unpleasant before one • face ruin. 3 to confront, brave or cope with (problems, difficulties, etc). 4 to accept (the unpleasant truth, etc). 5 to present itself to someone • the scene that faced us. 6 to cover with a surface • bricks were faced with plaster. face the music colloq to accept the unpleasant consequences at their worst; to brave a trying situation, hostile reception, etc. face to face 1 in the presence of each other • met face to face for the first time. 2 facing or confronting each other. Also as adj • a face-to-face meeting. face up to something or someone to recognize the facts and prepare to endure the consequences, or to act bravely. in your face or (often) in yer face 1 right in front of someone. 2 dealing with an issue in a direct and often provocative way. Also as adj • an in-your-face film. in the face of something in spite of a known circumstance, etc. look someone in the face to look directly at them without shame or embarrassment. lose face see under lose. make or pull a face to grimace, scowl, frown, etc. on the face of it superficially; at first glance. put a good or brave face on something to try to hide disappointment, fear, etc concerning it. put one's face on colloq to apply make-up to one's face. save one's face to preserve one's reputation, etc in difficult circumstances, while avoiding humiliation or the appearance of giving in or climbing down. set one's face against something to oppose an idea, course of action, etc, firmly. show one's face often with negatives to make an appearance • didn't dare show his face. to someone's face directly; openly, in someone's presence. See also facial.
ETYMOLOGY: 13c: from Latin facies face.