ˈhalf-faced, a.
[f. prec. n.]
1. Presenting a half-face or profile. Of a coin: Having a profile stamped upon it; hence, of persons, having a thin, pinched face. So half-faced groat, applied contemptuously to a thin-faced man.
| 1595 Shakes. John i. i, 92–4 Because he hath a half-face, like my father? With halfe that face would he haue all my land, A halfe-fac'd groat, fiue hundred pound a yeere? 1597 ― 2 Hen. IV, iii. ii. 283 This same halfe-fac'd fellow, Shadow, giue me this man: hee presents no marke to the Enemie. 1601 Munday Downf. R. Earl of Huntington I iij, You halfe-fac't groat, you thick [? thin] cheekt chittiface. 1634 Peacham Gentl. Exerc. 22 The third is onely halfe faced, as you see..Philip and Mary upon a twelve pence. |
2. With only half of the face visible.
| 1593 Shakes. 2 Hen. VI, iv. i. 98 Our halfe-fac'd Sunne, striuing to shine. 1607 Puritan iii. vi. in Steevens Suppl. Shaks. (1780) II. 591 (N.) Why cam'st thou in half-fac'd, muffled so? 1814 Scott Ld. of Isles v. xiii, The half-faced moon shone dim and pale. |
3. Imperfect, incomplete, half-and-half.
| 1592 Nashe Apol. P. Penilesse (N.), With other odd ends of your half-faced English. 1596 Shakes. 1 Hen. IV, i. iii. 208 Out vpon his halfe-fac'd Fellowship. |
| 1732 Neal Hist. Purit. I. 201 Papists in disguise..Time-servers, and half-faced Protestants. 1824 Godwin Hist. Commw. I. 105 Temporising and half-faced measures. |
4. half-faced camp (
U.S.), among frontiers-men: A camp or shelter left open on the south side.
| 1850 Americans at Home I. 95 (Bartlett) Commend me to a hunting-party in a half-faced camp. 1886 Century Mag. XXXIII. 379 Sleeping in half-faced camps, where the heavy air of the rank woods was in their lungs all night. |