facet

Pronunciation key ( fas′it )

fac•et n.

Etymology: [Fr. facette, diminutive of face]

1. A small surface.
2. Any of the small polished plane surfaces of a cut gem or diamond, hence,
3. any of a number of sides or aspects as of a personality.
4. In architecture, A flat but raised projection between flutes of a column.
5. In zoology, a unit of a compound eye in insects and crustaceans; also the surface or cornea of such an eye.
6. One side, view, or phase of a subject or of a person's mind or character.
7. In anatomy, A small flat surface found on bones or other hard tissue.
8. In denistry, A flat abraded spot on a tooth.

v.t. fac•et•ed or •et•ted, fac•et•ing or •et•ting, to cut or make facets on a surface.

Syn. phase

References

Webster's Vest Pocket Dictionary, ©1912

Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1955

Funk and Wagnall's Standard Dictionary, Comprehensive International Edition, ©1976

Merriam-Webster Dictionary & Thesaurus, ©2004