FACE


Meaning of FACE in English

■ noun

1》 the front part of a person's head from the forehead to the chin, or the corresponding part in an animal.

↘an aspect: the unacceptable ~ of social drinking.

2》 an expression on someone's ~.

3》 the sur~ of a thing, especially one that is presented to the view or has a particular function.

↘ Geometry each of the sur~s of a solid.

↘a vertical or sloping side of a mountain or cliff.

4》 a particular type of person: Fred was a trusted and familiar ~.

■ verb

1》 be positioned with the ~ or front towards or in a specified direction.

2》 confront and deal with.

↘have (a difficult situation) in prospect.

↘( ~ off ) chiefly N. Amer. take up an attitude of confrontation, especially at the start of a fight or game.

3》 (usu. be ~d with ) cover the sur~ of (something) with a layer of a different material.

Phrases

someone's ~ fits Brit. someone has the necessary qualities for something.

~ the music be confronted with the unpleasant consequences of one's actions.

~ to ~ close together and looking directly at one another.

in ( the ) ~ of when confronted with.

↘despite.

lose (or save ) ~ incur (or avoid) humiliation.

on the ~ of it apparently.

set one's ~ against resist with determination.

to one's ~ openly in one's presence.

Derivatives

-~d adjective

Origin

ME: from OFr., based on L. facies 'form, appearance, ~'.

Concise Oxford English vocab.      Сжатый оксфордский словарь английского языка.