ˈsə:fɪs n. & v. --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. øcome 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. øøsurfaced adj. (usu. in comb.). surfacer n. [F (as
SUR-(1), FACE)]
