barefaced
adjUK /ˈbeə(ɹ)feɪst/
Etymology Perhaps an alteration of barefast (compare shamefast); or from bare + faced. Compare typologically cheeky; Italian sfacciato (< Latin ex- + faciēs); French effronté, Italian sfrontato (< Latin ex- + frōns), Polish czelny (< czoło).
1
Undisguisedly offensive and bold; crude.
- And they vvere become ſo bare-faced and impudent in their Vices, that good and prudent Men thought fit to keep ſilence in that Time, becauſe it vvas an evil Time.1680 September 12 (date delivered; Gregorian calendar), Gilbert Burnet, A Sermon Preached before the Right-honourable the Lord-Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London, at Bow-Church, September 2. 1680. being the Anniversary Fast for the Burning of London, London: […] Richard Chiswel, […], published 1680, →OCLC, page 5:
- Mrs Biddle actually stamped that booted foot of hers. 'You rude, barefaced child!' she said.1904, E. Nesbit, The Phoenix and the Carpet:
2
Open, undisguised.
- It's simply bare-faced fortune hunting; but there you are—she is her own mistress, and she's married him.1920, Agatha Christie, The Mysterious Affair at Styles:
3
Unbearded (not having a beard or other facial hair).
4
Unmasked (not wearing a mask) or not wearing a face covering.
5
Not wearing makeup on the face.
- Derived terms
- barefaced liar, barefaced lie, barefacedly, barefacedness