face off

face

F0003200 (fās)n.1. a. The surface of the front of the head from the top of the forehead to the base of the chin and from ear to ear.b. A person: We saw many new faces on the first day of classes.2. A person's countenance: a happy face.3. A contorted facial expression; a grimace: made a face at the prospect of eating lemons.4. a. A countenance of a certain complexion or form. Used in combination: babyface; frogface.b. A person having such a countenance. Used in combination: paleface.5. a. Facial makeup: put one's face on.b. Facial makeup of a certain color, usually worn for the purpose of impersonating or mocking people of a particular racial or ethnic group. Used in combination: applied blackface.c. Assumed characteristics, such as clothing or behavior, intended to impersonate or mock people of a particular racial or ethnic group. Used in combination: dressing up in yellowface.6. Outward appearance: the modern face of the city.7. a. Value or standing in the eyes of others; prestige: did their best to save face after they were shown to be wrong; did not want to lose face by being unable to live up to his reputation.b. Self-assurance; confidence: The team managed to maintain a firm face even in times of great adversity.8. Effrontery; impudence: had the face to question my judgment.9. The most significant or prominent surface of an object, especially:a. The surface presented to view; the front.b. A façade.c. Outer surface: the face of the earth.d. A marked side: the face of a clock; the face of a playing card.e. The right side, as of fabric.f. An exposed, often precipitous surface of rock.10. A planar surface of a geometric solid.11. Any of the surfaces of a rock or crystal.12. The end, as of a mine or tunnel, at which work is advancing.13. The appearance and geologic surface features of an area of land; topography.14. Printing a. A typeface or range of typefaces.b. The raised printing surface of a piece of type.v. faced, fac·ing, fac·es v.tr.1. To occupy a position with the face toward: stood and faced the audience.2. To front on: a window that faces the south.3. a. To meet or confront with self-assurance: How can I face your parents when they know that I've let them down?b. To acknowledge and accept or deal with: had to face the facts; must be willing to face our problems. See Synonyms at defy.4. a. To be certain to encounter; have in store: An unskilled youth faces a difficult life.b. To bring or to be brought face to face with: "The prospect of military conflict ... faced us with nightmarish choices" (Henry A. Kissinger).5. To cause (troops) to change direction by giving a command.6. Games To turn (a playing card) so that the face is up.7. To furnish with a surface or cover of a different material: bronze that is faced with gold foil.8. To line or trim the edge of, especially with contrasting material: face a hem with lace.9. To treat the surface of so as to smooth.v.intr.1. To be turned or placed with the front toward a specified direction.2. To turn the face in a specified direction.Phrasal Verbs: face down To attain mastery over or overcome by confronting in a resolute, determined manner: face down an opponent in a debate; faced the enemy down. face off1. Sports To stand opposite an opponent in ice hockey, lacrosse, and other games and attempt to gain control of a puck or ball released by an official at the start of play.2. To compete: Two longtime opponents faced off in a bitter election. face up To confront an unpleasant situation with resolution and assurance: had to face up or get out; finally faced up to the problem.Idioms: face the music To accept the unpleasant consequences, especially of one's own actions. in the face/teeth of In opposition to or defiance of. on the face of it From appearances alone; apparently: On the face of it, the problem seems minor. show (one's) face To make an appearance: Don't show your face on my property again. to (one's) face In the view or hearing of: insulted me to my face.

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[Middle English, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *facia, from Latin faciēs; see dhē- in Indo-European roots.]

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face′a·ble adj.

Thesaurus

Verb

1.

face off - start a game by a face-off bully offplay - participate in games or sport; "We played hockey all afternoon"; "play cards"; "Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches"