Facet
/ˈfæsɪt/noun
A small flat surface on a cut gem or a distinct aspect of something.
Did you know?Facet comes through French from Latin *facies* (“face, form, appearance”), so the word began as a way of naming surfaces and appearances rather than anything mystical.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Lat
facies
“face, form, appearance”
Old French
OFr
facette
“small face or little surface”
Middle English
ME
facet
“small face; small flat surface on a gem”
Modern English
Eng
facet
“a small flat surface on a cut gem; an aspect or side of something”