facies

noun, plural fa·ci·es.

1. general appearance, as of an animal or vegetable group.
2. 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.
3. Medicine/Medical. a facial expression characteristic of a disease or pathological condition.
4. Archaeology. a distinctive phase of a prehistoric cultural tradition.

noun plural -cies

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

n. pl. facies

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

Plural facies

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. The appearance or expression of the face, especially when typical of a certain disorder or disease.