—n.
1 a the outside of a material body. b the area of this.
2 any of the limits terminating a solid.
3 the upper boundary of a liquid or of the ground etc.
4 the outward aspect of anything; what is apparent on a casual view or consideration (presents a large surface to view; all is quiet on the surface).
5 Geom. a set of points that has length and breadth but no thickness.
6 (attrib.) a of or on the surface (surface area). b superficial (surface politeness).
—v.
1 tr. give the required surface to (a road, paper, etc.).
2 intr. & tr. rise or bring to the surface.
3 intr. become visible or known.
4 intr. colloq. become conscious; wake up.
Phrases and idioms:
come to the surface become perceptible after being hidden. surface-active (of a substance, e.g. a detergent) able to affect the wetting properties of a liquid. surface mail mail carried over land and by sea, and not by air. surface noise extraneous noise in playing a gramophone record, caused by imperfections in the grooves. surface tension the tension of the surface-film of a liquid, tending to minimize its surface area.
Derivatives:
surfaced adj. (usu. in comb.). surfacer n.
Etymology: F (as SUR-(1), FACE)
Useful english dictionary. 2012.