facet

[ fas-it ]

noun

1. a small, polished, flat surface, usually in the shape of a polygon, such as one of the surfaces of a cut gem.
2. a smooth, flat surface cut on a fragment of rock by the action of water, windblown sand, etc.
3. aspect; phase:

   They carefully examined every facet of the argument.

4. Architecture. any of the faces of a column cut in a polygonal form.
5. Zoology. one of the corneal lenses of a compound arthropod eye.
6. Anatomy. a small, smooth, flat area on a hard surface, especially on a bone.
7. Dentistry. a small, highly burnished area, usually on the enamel surface of a tooth, produced by abrasion between opposing teeth in chewing.

verb (used with object)

, fac·et·ed, fac·et·ing or fac·et·ted, fac·et·ting.

1. to cut facets on.

facet

/ ˈfæsɪt /

noun

1. any of the surfaces of a cut gemstone
2. an aspect or phase, as of a subject or personality
3. architect the raised surface between the flutes of a column
4. any of the lenses that make up the compound eye of an insect or other arthropod
5. anatomy any small smooth area on a hard surface, as on a bone

verb

1. tr to cut facets in (a gemstone)

Word History and Origins

Origin of facet¹

First recorded in 1615–25, from the French facette “little face”; face ( def ), -ette ( )

Word History and Origins

Origin of facet¹

C17: from French facette a little face

Example Sentences

Although there is no singular facet that causes crime statistics to rise or fall, victims rights advocates and law enforcement leaders have recently aimed their frustrations at two targets: progressive prosecutors such as those in L.A. and the Bay Area, and Proposition 47.

From Los Angeles Times

Depth in the secondary — where Molden has solidified the safety position while rookie cornerbacks Still and Cam Hart have stepped up outside — has allowed James to flex his versatility in every facet of the defense.

From Los Angeles Times

“She’s one of the few friends who knows every facet of my life.”

From Los Angeles Times

Cheng: “I like that I can share everything with her. She’s one of the few friends who knows every facet of my life. I can go to her for advice and if it’s serious she will just switch into that mode and then immediately we will have the giggles.”

From Los Angeles Times

The airline sets cheap rates but ambushes customers with pesky little fees for every single facet of the flying experience, a nickel-and-diming scheme that bends not even for that glass of water.

From Slate