- Surface
- Surface Sur"face`, n. [F. See {Sur-}, and {Face}, and cf.
{Superficial}.]
1. The exterior part of anything that has length and breadth;
one of the limits that bound a solid, esp. the upper face;
superficies; the outside; as, the surface of the earth;
the surface of a diamond; the surface of the body.
[1913 Webster]
The bright surface of this ethereous mold. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
2. Hence, outward or external appearance. [1913 Webster]
Vain and weak understandings, which penetrate no deeper than the surface. --V. Knox. [1913 Webster]
3. (Geom.) A magnitude that has length and breadth without thickness; superficies; as, a plane surface; a spherical surface. [1913 Webster]
4. (Fort.) That part of the side which is terminated by the flank prolonged, and the angle of the nearest bastion. --Stocqueler. [1913 Webster]
{Caustic surface}, {Heating surface}, etc. See under {Caustic}, {Heating}, etc.
{Surface condensation}, {Surface condenser}. See under {Condensation}, and {Condenser}.
{Surface gauge} (Mach.), an instrument consisting of a standard having a flat base and carrying an adjustable pointer, for gauging the evenness of a surface or its height, or for marking a line parallel with a surface.
{Surface grub} (Zo["o]l.), the larva of the great yellow underwing moth ({Triph[oe]na pronuba}). It is often destructive to the roots of grasses and other plants.
{Surface plate} (Mach.), a plate having an accurately dressed flat surface, used as a standard of flatness by which to test other surfaces.
{Surface printing}, printing from a surface in relief, as from type, in distinction from plate printing, in which the ink is contained in engraved lines. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
