facies

[ fey-shee-eez, -sheez ]

noun

, plural fa·ci·es.

1. general appearance, as of an animal or vegetable group.
2. Geology. the appearance and characteristics of a sedimentary deposit, especially as they reflect the conditions and environment of deposition and serve to distinguish the deposit from contiguous deposits. Compare metamorphic facies.
3. Medicine/Medical. a facial expression characteristic of a disease or pathological condition.
4. Archaeology. a distinctive phase of a prehistoric cultural tradition.

facies

/ ˈfeɪʃɪˌiːz /

noun

1. the general form and appearance of an individual or a group of plants or animals
2. the characteristics of a rock or series of rocks reflecting their appearance, composition, and conditions of formation
3. med the general facial expression of a patient, esp when typical of a specific disease or disorder See Hippocratic facies

facies

/ fā′shē-ēz′,-shēz /

, Plural facies

1. 1. A body of sedimentary rock distinguished from others by its lithology, geometry, sedimentary structures, proximity to other types of sedimentary rock, and fossil content, and recognized as characteristic of a particular depositional environment.
   2. For a metamorphic rock, the particular combination of pressure and temperature under which metamorphism occurred.
2. The general aspect or makeup of an ecological community, especially a local modification of a community characterized by a conspicuous or abundant species that is absent or less concentrated in other locations.
3. The appearance or expression of the face, especially when typical of a certain disorder or disease.

Other Words From

• sub·faci·es noun plural subfacies

Word History and Origins

Origin of facies¹

1350–1400, for an earlier sense; Middle English < Latin: form, figure, appearance, face, akin to facere to make

Word History and Origins

Origin of facies¹

C17: from Latin: appearance, face

Example Sentences

The prima facies of the former is not likely to be admired, since its few excellencies require to be selected by nice observation.

From Project Gutenberg

The horizontal part of the Facies, next the front, that lies behind the eyes and between the temples.

From Project Gutenberg

Vastum ubique silentium, secreti colles; fumantia procul tecta; nemo exploratoribus obvius, is what Tacitus calls facies victoriæ.

From Project Gutenberg

Marls and limestones with fossils of an Eocene facies overlie the Cretaceous rocks on the Gabun.

From Project Gutenberg

Cui Piso Nolim quidem, Gracche inquit, mea bona tibi viritim dividere liceat; sed si facies, partem petam.

From Project Gutenberg