noun
slope; slope face
Technical term in civil engineering for the inclined surface of an embankment, cutting, or natural slope.
法面の崩壊を防ぐために、コンクリートで保護した。
To prevent the slope from collapsing, it was protected with concrete.
道路沿いの法面に草が植えられている。
Grass is planted on the slope along the road.
斜面 is a general term for any inclined surface or slope, while 法面 is specifically used in civil engineering for man-made or engineered slopes.
法 (のり) means 'rule' or 'standard' and here refers to the standardized slope gradient in construction; 面 (めん) means 'surface'. The exact historical derivation of のり for slope is uncertain, but it is a specialized term in civil engineering.