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Facet Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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facet

[ˈfæsɪt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

human anatomy

The front part of a person's head from the forehead to the chin, especially the features as a whole.

Synonyms

countenance, visage.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
facet

Use 'facet' when referring to one side or aspect of something, especially in discussions involving complex issues, objects, or personalities.

  • We must consider every facet of the problem before making a decision.
  • Her personality has many facets, making her an interesting person to know.
countenance

Use 'countenance' when referring to the appearance or expression of someone's face, often indicating the person's emotions or feelings. It can also have a more formal or literary tone.

  • His stern countenance gave away his disapproval.
  • She maintained a calm countenance despite the chaos around her.
visage

Use 'visage' when referring to someone's face or facial expression in a poetic or literary context. It often conveys a sense of formality or antiquity.

  • The knight's noble visage was known throughout the land.
  • Her visage was serene and wise beyond her years.

Examples of usage

  • He had a handsome face with chiseled features.
  • Her face lit up with a smile.
Context #2 | Noun

gemology

One of the small, polished plane surfaces of a cut gem.

Synonyms

side, surface.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
facet

Used when referring to one distinct aspect or part of something, especially when considering something complex like a problem or personality.

  • She explored every facet of the issue before making a decision.
  • His personality has many facets, making him an interesting person.
surface

Best used when talking about the outermost layer of something, especially when referring to physical objects or the top layer of a liquid.

  • The surface of the table was smooth and shiny.
  • The fish swam close to the surface of the water.
side

Appropriate for describing one of the flat surfaces or areas of a shape or object, or one perspective or position in an argument or situation.

  • He stood by her side during the difficult times.
  • Every story has two sides.

Examples of usage

  • The diamond had many facets that sparkled in the light.
  • The emerald's facets reflected different shades of green.
Context #3 | Verb

computing

To segment a network into smaller subnetworks in order to improve performance or security.

Synonyms

partition, segment.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
facet

Commonly used to describe an individual flat surface on a gemstone or a cut crystal.

  • The diamond's facets sparkled brilliantly under the light
segment

Refers to a part of something that is divided from the whole especially in the context of an object or a lesson plan.

  • The market research divided the population into several segments based on age and income
partition

Describes the act of dividing something into parts, often used in the context of dividing spaces, rooms, or data storage.

  • They put up a partition to create a separate office space in the open-plan area

Examples of usage

  • The IT department decided to facet the company's network for better efficiency.
  • Faceting the network helped prevent data congestion.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'facet'

The word 'facet' originated from the French word 'facette', a diminutive of 'face', ultimately from Latin 'facies' meaning 'form, appearance'. In English, 'facet' first appeared in the 17th century, initially used in gemology to describe the flat faces of a cut gem. Over time, its usage expanded to describe various aspects or parts of something with multiple sides or aspects.

See also: deface, efface, face, facing, interface, preface.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #12,858, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.