surface
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1sur·face
noun \ˈsər-fəs\Definition of SURFACE
1
: the exterior or upper boundary of an object or body <on the surface of the water> <the earth's surface>
2
: a plane or curved two-dimensional locus of points (as the boundary of a three-dimensional region) <plane surface> <surface of a sphere>
3
a : the external or superficial aspect of something <trouble lurks below the surface> b : an external part or layer <sanded the rough surfaces>
— on the surface
: to all outward appearances
See Examples of SURFACE
- The painting's surface is covered with fine cracks.
- The bowl has a shiny surface.
- The surface of wood was rough.
- Be careful of icy surfaces on the roads.
Origin of SURFACE
French, from Middle French, from sur- + face face, from Old French — more at face
First Known Use: circa 1600
2surface
adjectiveDefinition of SURFACE
1
a : of, located on, or designed for use at the surface of something b : situated, transported, or employed on the surface of the earth <surface mail> <surface vehicles>
2
: appearing to be such on the surface only : superficial <surface friendships>
Examples of SURFACE
- Despite the surface differences between the two candidates, they are very similar in most ways.
- <a surface stain on the wood that can easily be removed with a mild detergent>
First Known Use of SURFACE
1642
Related to SURFACE
- Synonyms
- skin-deep, superficial
3surface
verbsur·facedsur·fac·ing
Definition of SURFACE
transitive verb
1
: to give a surface to: as a : to plane or make smooth b : to apply the surface layer to <surface a highway>
2
: to bring to the surface <surface a sunken ship>
intransitive verb
1
: to work on or at the surface
2
: to come to the surface
Examples of SURFACE
- The whale surfaced and then dove back down.
- The information surfaced many years later.
- After several years, the actress surfaced in a comedy.
- The road needs to be surfaced again.
First Known Use of SURFACE
1778
Related to SURFACE
- Synonyms
- come up, crop (up), emerge, materialize, spring (up), arise
sur·face
noun \ˈsər-fəs\ (Medical Dictionary)Medical Definition of SURFACE
: the exterior or upper boundary of an object or body <the mesial and distal surfaces of a tooth>
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