a.
1. Having two faces: = DOUBLE-FACED 1.
1659. T. Pecke, Parnassi Puerp., 160. Janus The Two-facd God.
1793. Martyn, Lang. Bot., s.v., Two-faced leaves.
1861. J. G. Sheppard, Fall of Rome, i. 13. January presents itself under the influence of the Two-faced Janus.
2. fig. Deceitful, insincere: = DOUBLE-FACED 2.
a. 1619. Fletcher, etc., Q. Corinth, III. ii. Who can trust The gentle looks and words of two-faced man?
1720. Welton, Suffer. Son of God, II. xiv. 364. People, who, in Private approve of the principles of Religion, but act the Libertine in the face of the World . These loose and Two-facd Christians.
1864. in J. H. Newman, Apol., v. 429. Two-faced persons, who did not go simply and straightforwardly to work.
Hence Two-facedness.
1882. in Jamiesons Sc. Dict., IV. 647.
1889. Talmage, Serm., in Voice (N. Y.), 10 Oct. What subterfuge, what double-dealing, what two-facedness.