F - Facer

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F.

F (ĕf). 1. F is the sixth letter of the English alphabet, and a nonvocal consonant. Its form and sound are from the Latin. The Latin borrowed the form from the Greek digamma �, which probably had the value of English w consonant. The form and value of Greek letter came from the Phœnician, the ultimate source being probably Egyptian. Etymologically f is most closely related to p, k, v, and b; as in E. five, Gr. pente; E. wolf, L. lupus, Gr. lykos; E. fox, vixen ; fragile, break; fruit, brook, v. t.; E. bear, L. ferre. See Guide to Pronunciation, §§ 178, 179, 188, 198, 230.
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2. (Mus.) The name of the fourth tone of the model scale, or scale of C. F sharp (F ♯) is a tone intermediate between F and G.
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Coloq. F clef , the bass clef. See under .
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Fa (fä), n. [It.] (Mus.) (a) A syllable applied to the fourth tone of the diatonic scale in solmization. (b) The tone F.
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fab adj. [shortened form of .] extremely pleasing. [Colloq.]
Syn. -- fabulous.
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Fabaceae n. a large family of trees, shrubs, vines, and herbs bearing bean pods; divided for convenience into the subfamilies Caesalpiniacea; Mimosaceae; Papilionaceae.
Syn. -- Leguminosae, family Leguminosae, family Fabaceae, legume family, pea family.
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Fabaceous (fȧbāshŭs), a. [L. fabaceus, fr. faba bean.] Having the nature of a bean; like a bean.
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Fabella (?), n.; pl. Fabellae (-lē). [NL., dim. of L. faba a bean.] (Anat.) One of the small sesamoid bones situated behind the condyles of the femur, in some mammals.
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Fabian (?), a. [L. Fabianus, Fabius, belonging to Fabius.] Of, pertaining to, or in the manner of, the Roman general, Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus; cautious; dilatory; avoiding a decisive contest.
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Coloq. Fabian policy , a policy like that of Fabius Maximus, who, by carefully avoiding decisive contests, foiled Hannibal, harassing his army by marches, countermarches, and ambuscades; a policy of delays and cautions.
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Fabian, a. 1. Of or pertaining to the Roman gens Fabia.
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2. Designating, or pertaining to, a society of socialists, organized in England in 1884 to spread socialistic principles gradually without violent agitation.

The Fabian Society proposes then to conquer by delay; to carry its programme, not by a hasty rush, but through the slower, but, as it thinks, surer methods of patient discussion, exposition, and political action. William Clarke.
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Fabian (?), n. A member of, or sympathizer with, the Fabian Society.
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Fabiana n. a genus of South and Central American heathlike evergreen shrubs.
Syn. -- genus Fabiana.
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Fabianism n. the principles and beliefs of or similar to those of the Fabian Society, advocating socialism to be established by gradual reforms within the law. [British]
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Fable (fāb'l), n. [F., fr. L. fabula, fr. fari to speak, say. See , and cf. , .] 1. A Feigned story or tale, intended to instruct or amuse; a fictitious narration intended to enforce some useful truth or precept; an apologue. See the Note under .
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Jotham's fable of the trees is the oldest extant. Addison.
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A fable may have talking animals anthropomorphically cast as humans representing different character types, sometimes illustrating some moral principle; as, Aesop's Fables.
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2. The plot, story, or connected series of events, forming the subject of an epic or dramatic poem.
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The moral is the first business of the poet; this being formed, he contrives such a design or fable as may be most suitable to the moral. Dryden.
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3. Any story told to excite wonder; common talk; the theme of talk. “Old wives' fables. ” 1 Tim. iv. 7.
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We grew
The fable of the city where we dwelt. Tennyson.
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4. Fiction; untruth; falsehood.
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It would look like a fable to report that this gentleman gives away a great fortune by secret methods. Addison.
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Fable, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Fabled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Fabling (?).] To compose fables; hence, to write or speak fiction ; to write or utter what is not true. “He Fables not.” Shak.
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Vain now the tales which fabling poets tell. Prior.
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He fables, yet speaks truth. M. Arnold.
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Fable, v. t. To feign; to invent; to devise, and speak of, as true or real; to tell of falsely.
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The hell thou fablest. Milton.
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Fabler (fāblẽr), n. A writer of fables; a fabulist; a dealer in untruths or falsehoods. Bp. Hall.
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Fabliau (?), n.; pl. Fabliaux (-�). [F., fr. OF.fablel, dim. of fable a fable.] (Fr. Lit.) One of the metrical tales of the Trouvères, or early poets of the north of France.
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Fabric (făbrĭk), n. [L. fabrica fabric, workshop: cf. F. fabrique fabric. See .] 1. The structure of anything; the manner in which the parts of a thing are united; workmanship; texture; make; as cloth of a beautiful fabric.
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2. That which is fabricated; as: (a) Framework; structure; edifice; building.
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Anon out of the earth a fabric huge
Rose like an exhalation. Milton.

(b) Cloth of any kind that is woven or knit from fibers, whether vegetable, animal, or synthetic; manufactured cloth; as, silks or other fabrics; made of a fabric that is 50% cotton and 50% polyester.
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3. The act of constructing; construction. [R.]
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Tithe was received by the bishop, . . . for the fabric of the churches for the poor. Milman.
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4. Any system or structure consisting of connected parts; as, the fabric of the universe.
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The whole vast fabric of society. Macaulay.
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Fabric, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fabricked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Fabricking.] To frame; to build; to construct. [Obs.] “Fabric their mansions.” J. Philips.
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Fabricant (?), n. [F.] One who fabricates; a manufacturer. Simmonds.
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Fabricate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fabricated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Fabricating (?).] [L. fabricatus, p. p. of fabricari, fabricare, to frame, build, forge, fr. fabrica. See , .] 1. To form into a whole by uniting its parts; to frame; to construct; to build; as, to fabricate a bridge or ship.
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2. To form by art and labor; to manufacture; to produce; as, to fabricate woolens.
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3. To invent and form; to forge; to devise falsely; as, to fabricate a lie or story.
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Our books were not fabricated with an accomodation to prevailing usages. Paley.
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fabricated adj. formed or conceived by the fancy or imagination; as, a fabricated excuse for his absence.
Syn. -- fancied, fictional, fictitious, fictive, invented, made-up.
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Fabrication (?), n. [L. fabricatio; cf. F. fabrication.] 1. The act of fabricating, framing, or constructing; construction; manufacture; as, the fabrication of a bridge, a church, or a government. Burke.
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2. That which is fabricated; a falsehood; as, the story is doubtless a fabrication.

Syn. -- See .
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Fabricator (?), n. [L.] One who fabricates; one who constructs or makes.
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The fabricator of the works of Ossian. Mason.
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Fabricatress (?), n. A woman who fabricates.
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Fabrile (?), a. [L. fabrilis, fr. faber workman. See .] Pertaining to a workman, or to work in stone, metal, wood etc.; as, fabrile skill.
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Fabulist (?), n. [Cf. F. fabuliste, fr. L. fabula. See .] One who invents or writes fables.
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Fabulize (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Fabulized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Fabulizing (?).] [Cf. F. fabuliser. See .] To invent, compose, or relate fables or fictions. G. S. Faber.
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Fabulosity (?), n. [L. fabulositas: cf. F. fabulosité.] 1. Fabulousness. [R.] Abp. Abbot.
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2. A fabulous or fictitious story. [R.] Sir T. Browne.
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Fabulous (făb�lŭs), a. [L. fabulosus; cf. F. fabuleux. See .] 1. Feigned, as a story or fable; related in fable; devised; invented; not real; fictitious; as, a fabulous description; a fabulous hero.
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The fabulous birth of Minerva. Chesterfield.
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2. beyond belief; exceedingly great; as, a fabulous price. Macaulay.
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Coloq. Fabulous age , that period in the history of a nation of which the only accounts are myths and unverified legends; as, the fabulous age of Greece and Rome.

-- Fabulously (#), adv. -- Fabulousness, n.
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Faburden (făbŭrd�n), n. [F. faux bourdon. See , and a verse.] 1. (Mus.) (a) A species of counterpoint with a drone bass. (b) A succession of chords of the sixth. [Obs.]
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2. A monotonous refrain. [Obs.] Holland.
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Fac (făk), n. [Abbrev. of facsimile.] A large ornamental letter used, esp. by the early printers, at the commencement of the chapters and other divisions of a book. Brande & C.
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Façade (fȧsȧd or fȧsād), n. [F., fr. It. facciata, fr. faccia face, L. facies. See .] (Arch.) The front of a building; esp., the principal front, having some architectural pretensions. Thus a church is said to have its façade unfinished, though the interior may be in use.
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Face (fās), n. [F., from L. facies form, shape, face, perh. from facere to make (see ); or perh. orig. meaning appearance, and from a root meaning to shine, and akin to E. fancy. Cf. .] 1. The exterior form or appearance of anything; that part which presents itself to the view; especially, the front or upper part or surface; that which particularly offers itself to the view of a spectator.
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A mist . . . watered the whole face of the ground. Gen. ii. 6.
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Lake Leman wooes me with its crystal face. Byron.
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2. That part of a body, having several sides, which may be seen from one point, or which is presented toward a certain direction; one of the bounding planes of a solid; as, a cube has six faces.
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3. (Mach.) (a) The principal dressed surface of a plate, disk, or pulley; the principal flat surface of a part or object. (b) That part of the acting surface of a cog in a cog wheel, which projects beyond the pitch line. (c) The width of a pulley, or the length of a cog from end to end; as, a pulley or cog wheel of ten inches face.
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4. (Print.) (a) The upper surface, or the character upon the surface, of a type, plate, etc. (b) The style or cut of a type or font of type.
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5. Outside appearance; surface show; look; external aspect, whether natural, assumed, or acquired.
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To set a face upon their own malignant design. Milton.
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This would produce a new face of things in Europe. Addison.
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We wear a face of joy, because
We have been glad of yore. Wordsworth.
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6. That part of the head, esp. of man, in which the eyes, cheeks, nose, and mouth are situated; visage; countenance.
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In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread. Gen. iii. 19.
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7. Cast of features; expression of countenance; look; air; appearance.
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We set the best faceon it we could. Dryden.
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8. (Astrol.) Ten degrees in extent of a sign of the zodiac. Chaucer.
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9. Maintenance of the countenance free from abashment or confusion; confidence; boldness; shamelessness; effrontery.
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This is the man that has the face to charge others with false citations. Tillotson.
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10. Presence; sight; front; as in the phrases, before the face of, in the immediate presence of; in the face of, before, in, or against the front of; as, to fly in the face of danger; to the face of, directly to; from the face of, from the presence of.
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11. Mode of regard, whether favorable or unfavorable; favor or anger; mostly in Scriptural phrases.
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The Lord make his face to shine upon thee. Num. vi. 25.
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My face [favor] will I turn also from them. Ezek. vii. 22.
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12. (Mining) The end or wall of the tunnel, drift, or excavation, at which work is progressing or was last done.
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13. (Com.) The exact amount expressed on a bill, note, bond, or other mercantile paper, without any addition for interest or reduction for discount; most commonly called face value. McElrath.
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☞ Face is used either adjectively or as part of a compound; as, face guard or face-guard; face cloth; face plan or face-plan; face hammer.
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Coloq. Face ague (Med.), a form of neuralgia, characterized by acute lancinating pains returning at intervals, and by twinges in certain parts of the face, producing convulsive twitches in the corresponding muscles; -- called also tic douloureux. -- Coloq. Face card , one of a pack of playing cards on which a human face is represented; the king, queen, or jack. -- Coloq. Face cloth , a cloth laid over the face of a corpse. -- Coloq. Face guard , a mask with windows for the eyes, worn by workman exposed to great heat, or to flying particles of metal, stone, etc., as in glass works, foundries, etc. -- Coloq. Face hammer , a hammer having a flat face. -- Coloq. Face joint (Arch.), a joint in the face of a wall or other structure. -- Coloq. Face mite (Zoöll.), a small, elongated mite (Demdex folliculorum), parasitic in the hair follicles of the face. -- Coloq. Face mold , the templet or pattern by which carpenters, etc., outline the forms which are to be cut out from boards, sheet metal, etc. -- Coloq. Face plate . (a) (Turning) A plate attached to the spindle of a lathe, to which the work to be turned may be attached. (b) A covering plate for an object, to receive wear or shock. (c) A true plane for testing a dressed surface. Knight. -- Coloq. Face wheel . (Mach.) (a) A crown wheel. (b) A wheel whose disk face is adapted for grinding and polishing; a lap. -- Coloq. face value the value written on a financial instrument; same as . Also used metaphorically, to mean apparent value; as, to take his statemnet at its face value.
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Coloq. Cylinder face (Steam Engine), the flat part of a steam cylinder on which a slide valve moves. -- Coloq. Face of an anvil , its flat upper surface. -- Coloq. Face of a bastion (Fort.), the part between the salient and the shoulder angle. -- Coloq. Face of coal (Mining), the principal cleavage plane, at right angles to the stratification. -- Coloq. Face of a gun , the surface of metal at the muzzle. -- Coloq. Face of a place (Fort.), the front comprehended between the flanked angles of two neighboring bastions. Wilhelm. -- Coloq. Face of a square (Mil.), one of the sides of a battalion when formed in a square. -- Coloq. Face of a Coloq. watch, clock, compass, card etc. , the dial or graduated surface on which a pointer indicates the time of day, point of the compass, etc. -- Coloq. Face to face . (a) In the presence of each other; as, to bring the accuser and the accused face to face. (b) Without the interposition of any body or substance. “Now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face.” 1 Cor. xiii. 12. (c) With the faces or finished surfaces turned inward or toward one another; vis à vis; -- opposed to back to back. -- Coloq. To fly in the face of , to defy; to brave; to withstand. -- Coloq. To make a face , to distort the countenance; to make a grimace; -- often expressing dislike, annoyance, or disagreement. Shak.
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Face (fās), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Faced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Facing (?).] 1. To meet in front; to oppose with firmness; to resist, or to meet for the purpose of stopping or opposing; to confront; to encounter; as, to face an enemy in the field of battle.
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I'll face
This tempest, and deserve the name of king. Dryden.
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2. To Confront impudently; to bully.
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I will neither be facednor braved. Shak.
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3. To stand opposite to; to stand with the face or front toward; to front upon; as, the apartments of the general faced the park; some of the seats on the train faced backward.
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He gained also with his forces that part of Britain which faces Ireland. Milton.
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4. To cover in front, for ornament, protection, etc.; to put a facing upon; as, a building faced with marble.
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5. To line near the edge, esp. with a different material; as, to face the front of a coat, or the bottom of a dress.
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6. To cover with better, or better appearing, material than the mass consists of, for purpose of deception, as the surface of a box of tea, a barrel of sugar, etc.
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7. (Mach.) To make the surface of (anything) flat or smooth; to dress the face of (a stone, a casting, etc.); esp., in turning, to shape or smooth the flat surface of, as distinguished from the cylindrical surface.
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8. To cause to turn or present a face or front, as in a particular direction.
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Coloq. To face down , to put down by bold or impudent opposition. “He faced men down.” Prior. -- Coloq. To face (a thing) out , to persist boldly or impudently in an assertion or in a line of conduct. “That thinks with oaths to face the matter out.” Shak. -- Coloq. to face the music to admit error and accept reprimand or punishment as a consequence for having failed or having done something wrong; to willingly experience an unpleasant situation out of a sense of duty or obligation; as, as soon as he broke the window with the football, Billy knew he would have to face the music.
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Face, v. i. 1. To carry a false appearance; to play the hypocrite. “To lie, to face, to forge.” Spenser.
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2. To turn the face; as, to face to the right or left.
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Face about, man; a soldier, and afraid! Dryden.
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3. To present a face or front.
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Faced (fāst), a. Having (such) a face, or (so many) faces; as, smooth-faced, two-faced.
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face-harden v. t. to harden (steel) by adding carbon.
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face lift n. 1. an operation to remove wrinkles and other signs of aging from a person's face.
Syn. -- face lifting, rhytidectomy, rhytidoplasty.
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2. a renovation that improves the outward appearance, as of a building.
Syn. -- face lifting.
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face-lift v. t. to perform cosmetic surgery on someone's face.
Syn. -- lift.
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Facer (fāsẽr), n. 1. One who faces; one who puts on a false show; a bold-faced person. [Obs.]
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There be no greater talkers, nor boasters, nor fasers. Latimer.
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2. A blow in the face, as in boxing; hence, any severe or stunning check or defeat, as in controversy. [Collog.]
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I should have been a stercoraceous mendicant if I had hollowed when I got a facer. C. Kingsley.

3. a serious difficulty with which one is suddenly faced. [wns=1] [obsolescent Briticism]
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face-saving adj. 1. allowing one to maintain one's dignity or prestige; designed to avoid admitting something embarrassing; as, a face-saving compromise; -- of actions.
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