(~s)
1.
The ~ of something is its outside surface.
In one ad the viewer scarcely sees the car’s ~...
The ~ of the building was elegant and graceful.
= outside
N-COUNT: usu sing
2.
You can refer to someone’s usual appearance or behaviour as their ~, especially when it is very different from their real character.
According to Mandy, Pat’s tough ~ hides a shy and sensitive soul.
= facade
N-COUNT: usu sing, usu with supp, oft poss N
3.
You use ~ to refer to the outside parts of something or things that are outside something.
The ~ walls were made of pre-formed concrete.
= outer, outside
ADJ: ADJ n