Saturday Word: Fascia

[med_cat]

fascia, n.

senses 1 and 3 are usually ˈfā-sh(ē-)ə, sense 2 is usually ˈfa- 

 plural fasciae

1: a flat usually horizontal member of a building having the form of a flat band or broad fillet: such as

 
a: a flat piece used as a molding

b: a horizontal piece (such as a board) covering the joint between the top of a wall and the projecting eaves

called also fascia board

c: a nameplate over the front of a shop

 

2: a sheet of connective tissue covering or binding together body structures (such as muscles)

also : tissue of this character

 

3: or facia

ˈfā-sh(ē-)ə 

British : the dashboard of an automobile

Examples:

 

 
The cardinals were resplendent in their black cassocks, which had bright-scarlet buttons and a matching sash called a fascia.

—David Sedaris, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2024

And the property’s three structures are wrapped in red cedar with a metal fascia.

—R. Daniel Foster, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024


Gua sha allows for targeted massage to release tension along muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia of the face and neck so that qi can flow properly through the meridians, thereby restoring balance.

—Jackie Snow, Los Angeles Times, 17 July 2024


Still trying to differentiate between fascia and soffit?

—Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2024

 

Etymology

Italian, from Latin, band, bandage; akin to Middle Irish basc necklace

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1
~~

I never knew this word had other meanings besides meaning #2, until

lindahoyland mentioned it in the meaning #1b recently ;)

You can see an illustration of that meaning here: www.swishbp.co.uk/design/what-are-fascias/
 

 

Comments

[zenigotchas]

Interesting and obscure as always!

[med_cat]

Glad you found it so :)

[sallymn]

I really like this word...

[med_cat]

Yeah...it's a cool word...

(fasciotomies aren't cool though...)

Glad you liked it ;)