(a) The face as a region or part of the body; in ~, of sun, wind: getting in (someone’s) eyes; in swink and swete of ~, through bodily exertion, with toil; wel vernished of ~, with face flushed or sweat-dampened from drink; (b) the face as the aggregate of features, one’s physical appearance or looks; also, one’s coloring, the complexion of the face; knouen bi (in) the ~, to know (sb.) on the basis of his facial features, recognize by sight; (c) the face as a reflection of character or state of mind, countenance, mien; double (doutous, fals) ~, two visages, a deceptive or hypocritical manner, duplicity, two-facedness; also person. [quot. c1490]; word with two visages, an equivocal or deliberately ambiguous utterance or manner of speaking, dissembling; beren (maken, sheuen) ~, to display or maintain (a certain) demeanor, have (a particular) aspect or manner; casten doun ~, assume a dejected appearance, look glum; (d) the face as a metonymy for the person or personality, the essential self; the face as a metonymy for conscious awareness, perception, the eyes or faculty of sight; ~ to ~, in person, face to face; biforen (toforen) ~, under (someone’s) gaze, to (someone’s) sight; also, in or into the presence (of sb.), before (sb.); blind ~, sightlessness; in ~, directly (at sb.), in or into (someone’s) eyes; also, within (someone’s) view, face to face (with sb.) [quot. a1470]; casten up the ~, fig. to direct the attention (of one’s heart toward God); hiden ~, conceal (one’s) nature or identity; meten in the ~, confront (enemies) face to face; sheuen ~, reveal (one’s true nature).

(a) The image of a human face; the representation of the king’s face on a coin [quot. ?c1435]; also, the face of a statue or an idol; (b) the reflection of (one’s) face; also in fig. context.

(a) A form, an image; (b) a semblance, guise, false face; fals ~, a mask.

(a) The face or surface of the earth or an astronomical body; (b) the face of an equatory of planets; (c) ?the visor of a helmet.

As surname.