Surface

Surface
Surface Sur"face`, n. [F. See {Sur-}, and {Face}, and cf. {Superficial}.] 1. The exterior part of anything that has length and breadth; one of the limits that bound a solid, esp. the upper face; superficies; the outside; as, the surface of the earth; the surface of a diamond; the surface of the body. [1913 Webster]

The bright surface of this ethereous mold. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

2. Hence, outward or external appearance. [1913 Webster]

Vain and weak understandings, which penetrate no deeper than the surface. --V. Knox. [1913 Webster]

3. (Geom.) A magnitude that has length and breadth without thickness; superficies; as, a plane surface; a spherical surface. [1913 Webster]

4. (Fort.) That part of the side which is terminated by the flank prolonged, and the angle of the nearest bastion. --Stocqueler. [1913 Webster]

{Caustic surface}, {Heating surface}, etc. See under {Caustic}, {Heating}, etc.

{Surface condensation}, {Surface condenser}. See under {Condensation}, and {Condenser}.

{Surface gauge} (Mach.), an instrument consisting of a standard having a flat base and carrying an adjustable pointer, for gauging the evenness of a surface or its height, or for marking a line parallel with a surface.

{Surface grub} (Zo["o]l.), the larva of the great yellow underwing moth ({Triph[oe]na pronuba}). It is often destructive to the roots of grasses and other plants.

{Surface plate} (Mach.), a plate having an accurately dressed flat surface, used as a standard of flatness by which to test other surfaces.

{Surface printing}, printing from a surface in relief, as from type, in distinction from plate printing, in which the ink is contained in engraved lines. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • surface — [ syrfas ] n. f. • 1611; superface 1521; lat. superficies → superficie; de sur et face 1 ♦ Partie extérieure (d un corps), qui le limite en tous sens. ⇒ face. La surface de la Terre, la surface terrestre. À la surface du sol. « une surface pure… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • surface — [sʉr′fis] n. [Fr < sur (see SUR 1) + face,FACE, based on L superficies] 1. a) the outer face, or exterior, of an object b) any of the faces of a solid c) the area or extent of such a face …   English World dictionary

  • surface — 1610s, from Fr. surface outermost boundary of anything, outside part (16c.), from O.Fr. sur above + face (see FACE (Cf. face)). Patterned on L. superficies surface (see SUPERFICIAL (Cf. superficial)). The verb meaning come to the surface is first …   Etymology dictionary

  • surface — ► NOUN 1) the outside part or uppermost layer of something. 2) the upper limit of a body of liquid. 3) outward appearance as distinct from less obvious aspects. ► ADJECTIVE 1) relating to or occurring on the surface. 2) (of transportation) by sea …   English terms dictionary

  • Surface — Sur face, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Surfaced}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Surfacing}.] 1. To give a surface to; especially, to cause to have a smooth or plain surface; to make smooth or plain. [1913 Webster] 2. To work over the surface or soil of, as ground, in …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • surface — [adj] external apparent, covering, depthless, exterior, facial, outer, outside, outward, shallow, shoal, superficial, top; concepts 485,583 Ant. central, core, inside, interior, middle surface [n] external part of something area, cover, covering …   New thesaurus

  • surface — Surface. subst. f. L exterieur, le dehors d un corps. Surface platte, unie, raboteuse. la surface de la terre …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • Surface — Sur face, v. i. 1. To rise from the depths of a liquid to the surface; as, the submarine surfaced to recharge its batteries. [PJC] 2. To become known or public; said of information. [PJC] 3. To show up, as a person who was in hiding; as, he… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Surface — (fr., spr. Sürfahs), die Oberfläche …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • surface — index bare, cursory, dimension, emerge, issue (send forth), ostensible, side, superficial …   Law dictionary

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