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surface

 - 6 dictionary results

sur⋅face

  [sur-fis] noun, adjective, verb, -faced, -fac⋅ing.
Use surface in a Sentence
–noun
1. the outer face, outside, or exterior boundary of a thing; outermost or uppermost layer or area.
2. any face of a body or thing: the six surfaces of a cube.
3. extent or area of outer face; superficial area.
4. the outward appearance, esp. as distinguished from the inner nature: to look below the surface of a matter.
5. Geometry. any figure having only two dimensions; part or all of the boundary of a solid.
6. land or sea transportation, rather than air, underground, or undersea transportation.
7. Aeronautics. an airfoil.
–adjective
8. of, on, or pertaining to the surface; external.
9. apparent rather than real; superficial: to be guilty of surface judgments.
10. of, pertaining to, or via land or sea: surface mail.
11. Linguistics. belonging to a late stage in the transformational derivation of a sentence; belonging to the surface structure.
–verb (used with object)
12. to finish the surface of; give a particular kind of surface to; make even or smooth.
13. to bring to the surface; cause to appear openly: Depth charges surfaced the sub. So far we've surfaced no applicants.
–verb (used without object)
14. to rise to the surface: The submarine surfaced after four days.
15. to work on or at the surface.
Origin:
1605–15; < F, equiv. to sur- sur- 1 + face face, appar. modeled on L superficies superficies

Related forms:
sur⋅face⋅less, adjective
sur⋅fac⋅er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To surface
sur·face   (sûr'fəs)   
n.  

    1. The outer or the topmost boundary of an object.

    2. A material layer constituting such a boundary.

    3. The boundary of a three-dimensional figure.

    4. The two-dimensional locus of points located in three-dimensional space.

    5. A portion of space having length and breadth but no thickness.

  2. Mathematics

    1. The boundary of a three-dimensional figure.

    2. The two-dimensional locus of points located in three-dimensional space.

    3. A portion of space having length and breadth but no thickness.

  3. The superficial or external aspect: "a flamboyant, powerful confidence man who lives entirely on the surface of experience" (Frank Conroy).

  4. An airfoil.

adj.  

  1. Relating to, on, or at a surface: surface algae in the water.

  2. Relating to or occurring on or near the surface of the earth.

    1. Superficial.

    2. Apparent as opposed to real.

v.   sur·faced, sur·fac·ing, sur·fac·es

v.   tr.
To provide with a surface or apply a surface to: surface a table with walnut; surface a road with asphalt.
v.   intr.

  1. To rise to the surface.

  2. To emerge after concealment.

  3. To work or dig a mine at or near the surface of the ground.


[French : sur-, above (from Old French; see sur-) + face, face (from Old French; see face).]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

surface 
1611, from Fr. surface "outermost boundary of anything, outside part" (16c.), from O.Fr. sur- "above" + face (see face). Patterned on L. superficies "surface" (see superficial). The verb meaning "come to the surface" is first recorded 1898; earlier it meant "bring to the surface" (1885), and "to give something a polished surface" (1778).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: sur·face
Pronunciation: 's&r-f&s
Function: noun
: the exterior or upper boundary of an object or body surfaces of a tooth>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

surface sur·face (sûr'fəs)
n.
The outer or topmost part of a solid structure.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Idioms & Phrases

surface

see on the surface; scratch the surface.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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