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Where does the word "face" come from? It comes from Latin facies, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
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Where does the word "face" come from? It comes from Latin facies, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
Face’s story begins in Latin: facies meant “form, appearance.” From 'facere', to make: the made shape. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as face. Replaced Old English 'andwlita' and 'ansyn'. It reached English by 1200s as face. 'face the music' dates from the 1800s. Today, face means the front part of the head.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient facies "form, appearance", from 'facere', to make: the made shape.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval face "face", replaced Old English 'andwlita' and 'ansyn'.
- Stage 3 · English · 1200s face "front of the head", 'face the music' dates from the 1800s.