Second College Edition
`
`American Heritage
`Dictionary
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`Words that are believed to be registered trademarks
`have been checked with authoritative sources. No in-
`vestigation has been made of common-law trademark
`rights in any word, because such investigation is im-
`practicable. Words that are known to have current
`registrations are shown with an initial capital and are
`also identified as trademarks. The inclusion of any
`word in this Dictionary is not, however, an expres-
`sion of the Publisher’s opinion as to whether or not it
`is subject to proprietary rights. Indeed, no definition
`in this Dictionary is to be regarded as affecting the
`validity of any trademark.
`
`Copyright ' 1982, 1985 by Houghton Mifflin Com-
`pany. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be
`reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
`means, electronic or mechanical, including photo-
`copying and recording, or by any information storage
`or retrieval system, except as may be expressly per-
`mitted by the 1976 Copyright Act or in writing by the
`Publisher.
`
`All correspondence and inquiries should be directed to
`Reference Division, Houghton Mifflin Company
`One Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108
`
`Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
`Main entry under title:
`American Heritage dictionary.
`Rev. ed. of: American Heritage dictionary of the
`English language. New college ed. c1976.
`I. English language(cid:151)Dictionaries. I. Morris,
`William, 1913-
`PE1625.A54 1982 (cid:9)
`ISBN 0-395-32943-4
`ISBN 0-395-32944-2 (thumb index)
`ISBN 0-395-33959-6 (deluxe edition)
`
`82-9346
`
`423 (cid:9)
`
`Manufactured in the United States of America
`
`

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`H
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`1. (cid:9)
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`c
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`fa(cid:231)ade
`Fa(cid:231)ade of the Alamo,
`San Antonio. Texas
`
`face angle
`
`fJfact
`
`or F (bf) n. p1. I’S or F’s. 1. The sixth letter of the modern
`English alphabet. 2. Any of the speech sounds represented
`by the lellerf. 3. F A failing grade in schoolwork. 4. F Mus.
`a. The fourth lone in the scale of C major or the sixth tone
`in the relative minor scale. b. The key or a scale in which F
`is the tonic. c. A written or printed note representing this
`lone. d. A string, key, or pipe tuned to the pitch of this lone.
`F The symbol for the element fluorine.
`fa (fh) it. The fourth tone of the diatonic scale in solmization.
`[ME < Med. Lat. -see GAMUT.]
`Fa(cid:149)b i-an (f8’bº-n) adj. 1. Of or relating to the caution and
`avoidance of direct confrontation typical of the Roman gen-
`eral Quintus Fabius Maximus, who defeated Hannibal by
`the use of this strategy. 2. Of, relating to, or being a member
`of the Fabian Society, which was committed to gradual
`rather than revolutionary means for spreading socialist
`principles. -Fa’bian n. -Fa’btantsm n. -Fa’biantst n.
`fa-ble (f(cid:228)’bnl) n. 1. A narrative making an edifying or cau-
`tionary point and often employing as characters animals
`that speak and act like human beings. 2. A story about leg-
`endary persons and exploits. 3. A falsehood; lie. -v. -bled,
`-btlng. -bles. -tr. To recount as if true. -intr. Archaic. To
`compose fables. [ME < OFr. < Lat.fabula <far4 to speak.]
`-fabler n.
`fa-bled (fª’bald) adj. 1. Made known or famous by fables;
`legendary. 2. Existing only in fables; fictitious.
`fabliau (fSb’lb-O’) n., p1. -11-aux (48-0’, -Oz’). A medieval
`verse tale characterized by comic and ribald treatment of
`themes drawn from life. [Fr. < OFr.fabliaux, p1. of fable!,
`dim, of fable, fable.]
`fabric (fSb’n’lk) it. 1. A material structure consisting of con-
`nected parts. 2. A complex underlying structure:
`the fabric
`of civilized society. 3. A method or style of construction.
`4. a. A cloth produced esp. by knitting, weaving, or felting
`fibers. b. The texture or quality of such cloth. [MEfabryke
`< OFr. fabrique < Lat. fabrica <faber, workman, artificer.]
`tab-ric-a-ble (fhb’ri-k-bal) adj. Capable of being molded: a
`fabricable alloy. -fab’ric-a-bil’l-ty n.
`fab(cid:149)ri-cant (fSb’rt-kant) n. Archaic. A manufacturer.
`fabricate (fhb’ri-k(cid:228)t’)
`try. -cat-ed, -cat-tng, -cates. I. To
`make; create. 2. To construct by combining or assembling.
`3. To make up in order to deceive. [ME fabricaten < Lat.
`fabricari, to make < fabrica, fabric.] -fab’ri-ca’tion it.
`-fab’ri-ca’tor n.
`Fab(cid:149)ry’s disease (fªb’rez) n. A hereditary disease of fat
`metabolism characterized by impaired functioning of the
`kidneys. [After Johannes Fabry (1860-1930).]
`tab-u-list (fab’ya-list) it. l.A composer of fables, 2. An in-
`ventor or teller of falsehoods. [OFr. fabuliste < Lat. fabula,
`fable.]
`fab-ulous (fab’ya-13s) ad]. 1. Of the nature of a fable or
`myth; legendary. 2. Told of or celebrated in fables or leg-
`ends. 3. Barely credible; astonishing: the fabulous endurance
`of a marathon runner. 4. Informal. Extremely pleasing or
`successful: a fabulous vacation. [ME < Lat. fabulosus < fa_
`bula, fable.] -fab’u-lous-ly adv. -fab’ulousness it.
`facade (fa-sad’) it. 1. Archit. The face of a
`fa(cid:231)ade also
`building, esp. the principal face. 2. An artificial or deceptive
`front. [Fr. < ltal.facciata <faccia, face < Lat.facies.]
`face (las) n. 1. The surface of the front of the head from the
`top of the forehead to the base of the chin and from ear to
`ear. 2. The arrangement or expression of the features of the
`face; countenance. 3. A contorted facial expression; gri-
`mace. 4. The outward appearance:
`the face of the city.
`5. Value or standing in the eyes of others; prestige: lose
`face. 6. Effrontery; impudence. 7. The most significant or
`prominent surface of an object, esp.: a. The surface pre-
`sented to view; front. b. A fa(cid:231)ade. c. The outer surface:
`the
`face of the earth. d. A marked side:
`the face of a clock.
`e. The right side, as of fabric. 8. Geom. A planar surface
`bounding a solid. 9. Any of the surfaces of a rock or crystal.
`10. The end, as of a mine or tunnel, at which work is ad-
`vancing. 11. The appearance and geological surface features
`of an area of land; topography. 12. Printing. Typeface. -v.
`faced, fac-ing, fac-es. -tr. 1. To occupy a position with the
`face toward. 2. To front upon: a window facing the south.
`3. a. To confront with complete awareness:
`facing facts.
`b. To overcome by confronting boldly or bravely:
`"What
`this generation must do is face its problems" (John F. Ken-
`nedy). 4. To be certain to encounter; have in store: The
`unskilled youth faces a difficult life. 5. To cause (troops) to
`change direction by giving a command. 6. To turn (a play-
`ing card) so that the face is up. 7. To furnish with a surface
`or cover of a different material: bronze faced with gold foil.
`8. To line or trim the edge of, esp. with contrasting material.
`9. To treat the surface of so as to smooth. -intr. 1. To be
`turned or placed with the front toward a specified direction.
`2. To turn the face in a specified direction. -phrasal verbs.
`face down. To overcome or prevail over by a stare or a
`resolute manner, face off. To start play in hockey, lacrosse,
`and other games by releasing the puck or ball between two
`opposing players, face out. To endure to the end, face up to.
`1. To recognize the existence or importance of. 2. To con-
`front bravely. -Idioms, face the music. Slang. To accept
`the unpleasant consequences esp. of one’s own actions, face
`to face. 1. In each other’s presence; in direct communica-
`
`Playi 1
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`or
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`eitn.
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`’
`
`tion : spoke face to lace. 2. Directly confronting.Jhi
`tstth death. in the face of. Despite the oppo sition 0 oj0
`withstanding. on the face of it. From its appearance ’ ox1
`apparently. show (one’s) face. To make an appear
`(One’s) face. In the view or hearing of: accused
`to his face. [ME < OFr. < Lat. facies.]
`-face’tess ad].
`face angle it. The angle formed between tw o
`edges
`polyhedral angle. (cid:9)
`face card it. A king, queen, or jack of a deck of
`cards. (cid:9)
`face cloth n. A washcloth.
`face-hard-en (fas’har’dn) try. -ened, -en-tng
`harden the surface of (a metal). (cid:9)
`TO
`face-lift-ing (fas’ltf’ting) also face-lift (-lift’)
`laiy
`surgery for tightening facial tissues and i mprov j5g ’ 1
`pearance of facial skin. 2. A restyling or moderni zat iep.
`of a building.
`face-off (fas’Of’, -Of’) it. 1. A method of starting Play
`hockey in which an official drops the puck betweeit n ire
`opposing players who contend for its control. 2. A’Oil two
`tation,
`face-plate (fgs’plat’) it. 1. A disk attached to the mandr el of
`a lathe to hold flat or irregularly shaped work,
`front of a cathode-ray tube upon which the image
`jected. is pro
`fac-er (fa’sr) it. 1. One that faces, 2. A device used
`smoothing or dressing a surface, 3. Chiefly Brit,
`Asne
`pected blow or defeat.
`face-say-er (fas’sa’vnr) it. Something that prevents io
`dignity or self-esteem: The compromise was afaee.saverf
`the boss. .-face’-sav’ing it,
`fac-et (fds’kt) it. 1. Any of the flat polished surfaces cut O
`gemstone. 2. A small planar or rounded smooth surface o
`a bone or tooth, 3. One of the lenslike divisions of a cow.
`pound eye, as of an insect. 4. An aspect; phase. ]Fr.faeette
`dim, of face, face < OFr.] -fac’et-ed, fac’et-leci ad].
`fa-cete (f3-set’) ad]. Archaic. Facetious; witty. ]Lat. faceim j
`face-ti(cid:149)ae (fa-sº’she-g’) pIn. Witty or humorous writiflgi
`and sayings. [Lat., p1. of facetia, jest <facetus, witty.]
`fa-cetious (f-se’shs) ad]. Playfully jocular; hnmorouc
`facetious remark. ]OFr.facetieux <facetie, jest < Lal.focetia
`<facetu.s, witty.] -fa-ce’ttous-ly adv. -fa-ce’tiOus.nes5
`face value n. 1. The value printed or written on the face, at
`of a bill or bond. 2. The apparent value or significance: took
`their compliments at face value.
`fa-cial (fa’shul) ad]. Of or concerning the face. -it. A treat.
`ment for the face, usually consisting of a massage and the
`application of cosmetic creams, -fa’cial-ly adv.
`facial index it. The ratio of facial length to facial width
`multiplied by 100.
`facial nerve it. Either of the seventh pair of cranial nerves
`that supply motor fibers to the facial muscles and sensory
`fibers to the tastebuds of the anterior portion of the tongue.
`-facient suff. 1. Causing; bringing about:
`somit(facient.
`2. Something that causes or brings about: abortifacient. [<
`Lat. faciens, facient-, p.part. of facere, to do.]
`fa-ci-es (fA’shº-ºz’, -shgz) it., pl. fades. 1. The general aspect
`or outward appearance, as of a given growth of flora.
`2. Geol. a. A part differentiated from other parts in a rock
`by appearance or composition. b. A rock distinguished
`from related or similar rocks. c. A stratigraphic body distin-
`guished from others by appearance or composition. [Lot.
`facies, form, appearance.]
`facile (f(cid:224)s’ul) ad]. 1. Done or achieved with little effort at
`difficulty; easy. 2. Working, acting, or speaking effortlessly;
`fluent: a facile speaker. 3. Arrived at without due care, el’
`fort, or examination; superficial. 4. Easy and relaxed in
`manner. 5. Yielding; compliant. [OFr. < Lat. facilis <fa
`cere, to do.] -fac’lle-ly adv. -fac’ile-ness it.
`fa-cil-i-tate (fa-sil’i-tat’) try. -tat-ed, -tat-ing, -tates. To make
`easier, [< Fr. faciliter < Ital.facilitare <facile, facile < Lot.
`facilis.] -fa-cil’l-ta’tion it.
`fa-cil-i-ty (fa-sil’i-th) it., p1. -ties. 1. Ease in moving, acting,
`doing; aptitude: "an extreme facility in acquiring new dia-
`lects" (W.H. Hudson). 2. Readiness to be persuaded; Pl
`Sit
`ability. 3. Often facilities, Something that facilitates
`action or process. 4. The quality of being easy to perform
`5. Something created to serve a particular function.
`fac-ing (fa’sing) it. 1. a. A piece of material sewn to the edge
`of a dress, coat, or other garment as lining or decoration .
`b. Material used for this. 2. An outer layer or coating ap-
`plied to a surface for protection or decoration.
`fac-sim-i-le (fdlc-sim’a-lC) it. I. An exact copy or reprod.0(cid:176)
`lion, as of a document, 2. a. A method of transmitting im-
`ages or printed matter by electronic means, b. An image 50
`transmitted. -ad]. 1. Of or used to produce facsitThlv?
`2. Exactly reproduced; duplicate. [Lat.fac simile, make (it)
`similar.]
`facsimile modulation it. A method for varying in time the
`physical properties of a wave in facsimile transnsissi0fle ct
`01
`fact (fake) it. 1. Something done: an accessory before the
`3. Some lli
`2. Something presented as objectively real.
`that has been objectively verified. 4. a. Something ha’ of
`real, demonstrable existence. b. The quality of being re ed
`actual. S. Something that has been done or perf000
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