facies

[ fey-shee-eez, -sheez ]
/ ˈfeɪ ʃiˌiz, -ʃiz /

noun, plural fa·ci·es.

general appearance, as of an animal or vegetable group.
Geology. the appearance and characteristics of a sedimentary deposit, especially as they reflect the conditions and environment of deposition and serve to distinguish the deposit from contiguous deposits. Compare metamorphic facies.
Medicine/Medical. a facial expression characteristic of a disease or pathological condition.
Archaeology. a distinctive phase of a prehistoric cultural tradition.

Origin of facies

1350–1400, for an earlier sense; Middle English < Latin: form, figure, appearance, face, akin to facere to make

OTHER WORDS FROM facies

sub·fa·ci·es, noun, plural sub·fa·ci·es.

Words nearby facies

facial palsy, facial tic, facial tissue, facial vein, facialist, facies, facile, facile princeps, facilis descensus averno, facilitate, facilitation

Example sentences from the Web for facies

British Dictionary definitions for facies

facies
/ (ˈfeɪʃɪˌiːz) /

noun plural -cies

the general form and appearance of an individual or a group of plants or animals
the characteristics of a rock or series of rocks reflecting their appearance, composition, and conditions of formation
med the general facial expression of a patient, esp when typical of a specific disease or disorder See Hippocratic facies

Word Origin for facies

C17: from Latin: appearance, face

Medical definitions for facies

facies
[ fā′shē-ēz′, -shēz ]

n. pl. facies

Face.
The appearance or expression of the face, especially when typical of a certain disorder or disease.
The general aspect or outward appearance, as of a given growth of flora.

Scientific definitions for facies

facies
[ fā′shē-ēz′, -shēz ]

Plural facies

  1. A body of sedimentary rock distinguished from others by its lithology, geometry, sedimentary structures, proximity to other types of sedimentary rock, and fossil content, and recognized as characteristic of a particular depositional environment.
  2. For a metamorphic rock, the particular combination of pressure and temperature under which metamorphism occurred.
The general aspect or makeup of an ecological community, especially a local modification of a community characterized by a conspicuous or abundant species that is absent or less concentrated in other locations.
The appearance or expression of the face, especially when typical of a certain disorder or disease.