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Definition of "facies" [‖Fa•ci•es]

  • Biology The general aspect or outward appearance, as of a given growth of flora. (noun)
  • Medicine The appearance or expression of the face, especially when typical of a certain disorder or disease. (noun)
  • Geology A rock or stratified body distinguished from others by its appearance or composition. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "facies" in a sentence
  • "1994 Dr. Gianotti from Italy suggests that Cayler Cardiofacial syndrome, also known as asymmetric crying facies, is due to a 22q11. 2 deletion."
  • "At this time the condition of the patient was as follows: The face presented the appearance known as facies hippocratica: the eyeballs were prominent, the corneæ glassy, the pupils widely dilated, not acting to light, and there was no reflex action of the conjunctivæ; the lips were livid, the tongue tumefied, but pallid, the skin ashy pale, the cutaneous tissues apparently devoid of elasticity."
  • "It is well known that this correspondence is recognized in the general 'facies' of the flora and fauna, dependent on generic identities."