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Where does the word "facet" come from? It comes from Latin facies, passing through French before entering English (1620s).
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Where does the word "facet" come from? It comes from Latin facies, passing through French before entering English (1620s).
Facet’s story begins in Latin: facies meant “face, form.” The root of 'face'. By 1600s, the word had taken hold in French as facette. A diminutive of 'face'. It reached English by 1620s as facet. 'facet' of an issue dates from the 1800s. Today, facet means one side of something.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient facies "face, form", the root of 'face'.
- Stage 2 · French · 1600s facette "little face", a diminutive of 'face'.
- Stage 3 · English · 1620s facet "cut face of a gem", 'facet' of an issue dates from the 1800s.