interface - Definitions from Dictionary.com

6 results for: interface

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

in·ter·face

Audio Help [n. in-ter-feys; v. in-ter-feys, in-ter-feys] Pronunciation Key noun, verb, -faced, -fac·ing.

–noun

1.	a surface regarded as the common boundary of two bodies, spaces, or phases.

2.	the facts, problems, considerations, theories, practices, etc., shared by two or more disciplines, procedures, or fields of study: the interface between chemistry and physics.

3.	a common boundary or interconnection between systems, equipment, concepts, or human beings.

4.	communication or interaction: Interface between the parent company and its subsidiaries has never been better.

5.	a thing or circumstance that enables separate and sometimes incompatible elements to coordinate effectively: The organization serves as an interface between the state government and the public.

Computers.

a.	equipment or programs designed to communicate information from one system of computing devices or programs to another.

b.	any arrangement for such communication.

–verb (used with object)

7.	to bring into an interface.

8.	to bring together; connect or mesh: The management is interfacing several departments with an information service from overseas.

–verb (used without object)

9.	to be in an interface.

10.	to function as an interface.

11.	to meet or communicate directly; interact, coordinate, synchronize, or harmonize (often fol. by with): The two communications systems are able to interface with each other.

[Origin: 1880–85; inter- + face

]

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
interface

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

in·ter·face Audio Help (ĭn'tər-fās') Pronunciation Key
n.

A surface forming a common boundary between adjacent regions, bodies, substances, or phases.
A point at which independent systems or diverse groups interact: "the interface between crime and politics where much of our reality is to be found" (Jack Kroll).
Computer Science
1. The point of interaction or communication between a computer and any other entity, such as a printer or human operator.
2. The layout of an application's graphic or textual controls in conjunction with the way the application responds to user activity: an interface whose icons were hard to remember.

v. (ĭn'tər-fās') in·ter·faced, in·ter·fac·ing, in·ter·fac·es

v. tr.

To join by means of an interface.
To serve as an interface for.

v. intr.

To serve as an interface or become interfaced.
To interact or coordinate smoothly: "Theatergoers were lured out of their seats and interfaced with the scenery" (New York Times).

in'ter·fa'cial adj.

Usage Note: The noun interface has been around since the 1880s, meaning "a surface forming a common boundary, as between bodies or regions." But the word did not really take off until the 1960s, when it began to be used in the computer industry to designate the point of interaction between a computer and another system, such as a printer. The word was applied to other interactions as well—between departments in an organization, for example, or between fields of study. Shortly thereafter interface developed a use as a verb, but it never really caught on outside its niche in the computer world, where it still thrives. The Usage Panel has been unable to muster much enthusiasm for the verb. Thirty-seven percent of Panelists accept it when it designates the interaction between people in the sentence The managing editor must interface with a variety of freelance editors and proofreaders. But the percentage drops to 22 when the interaction is between a corporation and the public or between various communities in a city. Many Panelists complain that interface is pretentious and jargony. Certainly, it has no shortage of acceptable synonyms; cooperate, deal, exchange information, interact, and work present themselves as ready substitutes.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
interface

1962 (n.), 1967 (v.), from inter- + face.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

interface
noun
1.	(chemistry) a surface forming a common boundary between two things (two objects or liquids or chemical phases)
2.	(computer science) a program that controls a display for the user (usually on a computer monitor) and that allows the user to interact with the system
3.	the overlap where two theories or phenomena affect each other or have links with each other; "the interface between chemistry and biology"
4.	(computer science) computer circuit consisting of the hardware and associated circuitry that links one device with another (especially a computer and a hard disk drive or other peripherals)

The American Heritage Science Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

interface Audio Help (ĭn'tər-fās') Pronunciation Key

The point of interaction or communication between a computer and any other entity, such as a printer or human operator.
The layout of an application's graphic or textual controls in conjunction with the way the application responds to user activity. See more at GUI.

Free On-line Dictionary of Computing - Cite This Source - Share This

interface jargon
A boundary across which two systems communicate. An interface might be a hardware connector used to link to other devices, or it might be a convention used to allow communication between two software systems. Often there is some intermediate component between the two systems which connects their interfaces together. For example, two EIA-232 interfaces connected via a serial cable.
See also graphical user interface, Application Program Interface.
(1996-05-22)